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[Document 18—1957.]
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
Boston, January 2, 1957.
Hon. John B. Hynes,
Mayor of Boston.
Dear Mr. Mayor:
In compliance with the provisions of section 24 of
chapter 3 of the Revised Ordinances of 1947, I respect-
fully submit the annual report of the Public Works
Department and of the Public Improvement Commis-
sion for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Fiscal
The total expenditures of the department for the
year were $22,540,853.59, of which $3,290,795.44 repre-
sents water assessments levied by the Metropolitan
District Commission, and $694,456.14 represents Met-
ropolitan District Commission sewer assessments.
The receipts of the Water Division totaled
$6,297,311.74, and the revenue derived from the opera-
tion of the Sumner Tunnel reached a record high of
$2,550,125.00.
The operation of the Sumner Tunnel resulted in a
record-breaking surplus of $1,133,528.35, and the surplus
resulting from the sale of water amounted to $271,990.01.
2 City Document No. 18.
Loan Orders.
On May 15, 1956, a City Council order was approved
by your Honor, which provided, under the provisions
of section 7 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, that
the sum of $2,000,000 be appropriated for the con-
struction of public ways and the sum of $1,000,000 be
appropriated for the construction of sewerage works,
and the sum of $346,385.00 be appropriated for depart-
mental equipment, and on November 6, 1956, that the
sum of $3,000,000 be appropriated for the construction
of bridges.
Street Construction Work
State- Aid Prograrn
Last 3"ear we completed a considerable amount of
street reconstruction under the Chapter 90 State-Aid
Highway Reconstruction Program. The following
important main highways were constructed under the
State-Aid Program :
AKord Street, from 450 feet north of Arlington avenue to
Everett line.
Cummins Highway, from Har\'ard street to Mattapan
square.
Dorchester street, from Dorchester avenue to Broadway.
Hyde Park avenue, from Walk Hill street to Metropolitan
avenue.
Huntington avenue, from Tremont street to Brookline line.
River street, from Cummins Highway to Edge water Drive.
Terminal street, from Medford street, northeasterly and
easterly, 3,100 feet.
Washington street, from Egleston square to Forest Hills.
Grove street, from Spring street to Dedham hne.
The total cost of the Chapter 90 Construction Pro-
gram in Boston for the year 1956 was $658,980.09, of
which the State Department of Public Works, under
the provisions of section 34 of Chapter 90 of the General
Laws, paid 52.4 per cent, thereby presenting a substantial
savings of $344,912.66 to the taxpayers of Boston. It
is planned to again conduct an extensive program of
street construction under this chapter in 1957.
Public Works Department. 3
Non-State Aid Program
We also completed a major street reconstruction
program, comprising extensive construction and recon-
struction, in every section of the city. Several impor-
tant traffic arteries resurfaced bj" the department
during the year are listed as follows:
Adams street, Dorchester, from Bowdoiii street to Dor-
chester avenue.
Beacon street. City Proper, from Park street to Tremont
street.
Brookline avenue, City Proper, from Beacon street to
Park Drive.
Causeway street, City Proper, from Nashua street to
Leverett street.
Chelsea street. East Boston, from Bennington street to
Chelsea Street Bridge.
Dudley street, Roxbury, from Centre street to Washing-
ton street.
Friend street. City Proper, from Causeway street to Mer-
rimac street.
Maverick street, East Boston, from Chelsea street to
Orleans street.
Portland street. City Proper, from Hanover street to Mer-
rimac street.
Preble street. South Boston, from Old Colony avenue to
Dorchester avenue.
South street, West Roxbury, from Washington street to
Asticou road.
Traverse street, City Proper, from Portland street to
Canal street.
Washington street, Roxbury, from Williams street to
Zeigler street.
In continuation of our polic}' of replacing brick side-
walks with cement concrete in the older sections of the
city, contracts during the year, totaling approximately
$110,000.00, were awarded for this work.
The following is a summarized financial statement of
the expenditures made in 1956 for highway improve-
ments :
Budgetary Item
Public Waj's, Construction of (Loan Account) . . . $2,495,543 42
Public Ways, Construction of (Revenue Account) . . 169,746 04
Reconstruction of Streets (including sidewalks) . . . 56,660 48
Sidewalks, Construction and Reconstruction of . . . 52,465 95
Total .$2,774,415 89
4 City Document No. 18.
The following is a summarized record of the highway
improvement work done by the department in 1956:
Number of Streets Constructed or Reconstructed, 221 .
Includes 40 new streets ordered laid out and con-
structed under the provisions of Chapter 393 of the
Acts of 1906.
Miles of Streets Improved^ 27.4i-
Includes 6.14 miles of so-called Chapter 90 state-aid
highway improvements.
Miles of Sidewalks Improved, 2.82.
In addition to sidewalk improvements included in the
above-noted street improvements.
We also completed during the year the removal of
694 gas lamps, which were replaced with 750 2,500-
lumen electric lamps. It is our intention to continue
with this program in 1957.
Snow Removal
We were unfortunate during the past year in that
8 snowstorms of major proportions occurred, the three
bhzzards in March causing the most expense and
trouble. Major storms were as follows: January 17
— 6.1 inches, February 18 — 6.7 inches, March 16 — 5.4
inches, March 19 — 13.2 inches, March 24 — 5.7 inches,
April 8 — 3.1 inches, December 9 — 3.8 inches, and
December 29 — 5 inches. Snow removal was performed
by departmental forces and by contract forces and
contractors' plows were hired for plowing following the
aforementioned storms.
There are 748 miles of public streets that have to be
plowed and maintained during the winter months.
The department's fleet of thirty-seven (37) snow fighters
was used to plow, sand and salt the streets of the
downtown area. Most of the plowing work in the
rest of the city was done by approximately 250 trucks
rented on an hourlj^ basis from contractors.
The cost of snow removal work for 1956 was $1,333,-
232.36.
Public Works Department. 5
Bridges
During the period September 14 to November 14,
the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, permitted for a
60-day trial period a change in the operating regula-
tions of the Charlestown, L Street, Summer Street,
Northern Avenue and Congress Street bridges. The
change in regulations are similar to those granted for
the Broadway and Dover Street bridges in 1954 and
provided for the bridges to be closed to navigation
from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 a. m. each day. It is expected
that these regulations will be established in 1957 and will
result in a future substantial savings to bridge operating
costs.
A major part of the reconstruction of the approach
spans of the Charlestown bridge under a contract
awarded to Builders Iron Works was completed this
year. Charles A. McGuire & Associates completed
plans and specifications for the repair and renewal of
the draw spans for this bridge including the operating
mechanism and a contract in the amount of 1606,000
was awarded the Builders Iron Works. Work started
November 27, 1956, and will be completed late in 1957.
South Bay Incinerator
On Maj' 28, 1956, a contract was awarded to Geo.
Allen & Sons for the furnishing of incinerator equip-
ment including furnaces, w^aste-heat boilers, fly-ash
controls and other appurtenances. Wash borings were
made in August by the Raymond Concrete Pile Co.
A contract for driving piles was awarded on November 7,
1956, to the J. F. White Contracting Co. in the amount
of $453,340. It is expected that the pile driving will
be completed before April of 1957 when the building
plans and specifications being prepared by Metcalf &
Eddy, Engineers, will be ready.
New Building
Holmes & Edwards, Architects, were engaged to
prepare plans and specifications and supervise the con-
6 City Document No. 18.
struction of a garage at the Highway Division's yard
at Moreland Street, West Roxbury. The work is being
done by Domenic Puleo at an estimated cost of $55,500
and will be completed in 1957. An addition to the
Highland Street Garage, Roxbury, to provide additional
stock room space was completed this year by Kane &
Diaferio Construction Co., at a cost of $20,161.94.
Purchase of Equipment
New equipment purchased during the year included
four (4) carry-alls, thirty-six (36) sedans, twelve (12)
^-ton trucks, eleven (11) 1-ton trucks, one (1) 2-ton
truck, twenty (20) 2i-ton trucks, thirty (30) 3-ton
trucks, one (1) 5-ton truck, two (2) wreckers, one (1)
bulldozer, one (1) grader, one (1) power mower, three (3)
sewer cleaning machines, twenty-six (26) snow plows
and three (3) salt spreaders.
Personnel
There were 1,990 employees in the department as
of December 31, as compared with 2,022 employees on
January 1, 1956.
Detailed Reports
Appended hereto are reports submitted by the Divi-
sion Engineers, relative to the activities of their divisions
in 1956 and also a report of the Public Improvement
Commission describing its activities for the year 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
George G. Hyland,
Commissioner of Public Works.
Public Works Department.
MAINTENANCE APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.
Division or Service.
Central Office .
Automotive Division
Bridge Division .
Highway Division
Lighting Service
Sanitary Division
Sewer Division .
Sumner Tunnel .
Survey Division .
Water Division .
Total
Total Appropriations,
Including
Transfers and Amounts
Carried Over from 1955.
Expenditures.
S66,581 25
769,808 80
1,045,869 75
1,712,187 28
1,520,081 97
4,871,683 07
944,557 35
690,018 73
116,165 74
2,606,646 49
§14,343,600 43
.$66,536 29
768,700 16
834,691 63
1,540,005 65
1,506,630 87
4,843,072 44
905,067 79
601,579 27
116,152 72
2,212,603 54
$13,395,040 36
Unexpended
Balance.
$44 96
1,108 64
211,178 12
172,181 63
13,451 10
28,610 63
39,489 56
88,439 46
13 02
394,042 95
$948,560 07
LOANS AND SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
Title.
Bridges, Construction of (Non-Revenue)
Construction of Buildings and Original Equipment and
Furnishings Thereof (Non-Revenue)
Incinerator Building Construction and Equipping (Non-
Revenue)
Public Ways, Construction of (Non-Revenue)
Sewerage Works (Non-Revenue)
Snow Removal (Revenue)
Totals
Total Amount
Available.
$1,562,802 83
8,861 09
1,199,920 00
3,072,939 58
804,248 02
1,333,332 36
$7,982,103 88
Expenditures.
$695,417 66
8,052 05
2,495,543 42
628,216 16
1,333,332 36
$5,160,561 65
Unexpended
Bal&nee.
$867,385 17
8,861 09
1,191,867 95
577,396 16
176,031 86
$2,821,542 23
City Document No. 18.
The records of the department show that there are
now 1,990 persons ehgible for employment in the
several divisions, and of that number 1,985 were upon
the January 2, 1957 payrolls.
Grade and Number of Employees.
Services.
Title.
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5
9
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1
1
1
2
1
1
1
14
1
1
2
8
14
Supervisors and assistants
1
1
2
1
9
3
2
16
12
2
2
4
1
2
11
5
6
1
9
Principal senior and civil engineers. . .
22
3
63
16
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3
1
1
Automotive and senior electrical
2
9
2
9
1
4
1
Pumping station engineers and sta-
4
1
....
1
7
3
71
9
1
56
5
1
2
17
2
5
5
31
Other foremen
10
1
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3
Inspectors
1
3
18
1
166
Legal assistant
1
1
13
1
Electrician operators
2
2
17
1
1
Executive secretary and assistants
2
9
Carried forward
5
16
18
114
101
63
19
41
26
403
Public Works Department.
Grade and Number of Employees. — Continued.
Services.
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Brought forward
Senior personnel officer and assistant
Head administrative clerks
Head clerks
Principal clerk and secretary
Principal clerks, stenographers, ac-
count clerks, etc
Technical clerk .
Senior clerks, typists, stenographers,
etc
Clerk-stenographers, clerks, typists. .
Telephone operators
Head cashier
Senior cashier and cashiers
Principal storekeepers
Senior storekeeper and storekeepers .
Chief water meter reader
Supervisor and special water meter
readers
Water meter readers and clerks .
Sergeant tollmen guards
Tollmen guards
Supervisor, mobile guard
Sergeants, mobile guard
Mobile guards
Drawtenders and assistants . . . .
Analytical chemist
Chief and senior investigators . .
Estimators and investigators . . .
Dispatcher
Plumbers
Head photostat operator
Photostat operators
16
18
120
10
101
63
19
31
403
2
37
1
50
10
2
1
6
31
5
40
1
3
12
120
1
21
1
2
Carried forward.
Ill
73
76
156
790
10 City DocuiiExx Xo. 18.
Grade and Number of Employees. — Concluded.
Brought fortcard j 12
Principal duplicating machine oper-
ator
Sewer gatemen
Yardmasters and yardmen
Road roller operators
Working foremen
Sewage screen operator
Firemen and oilers
Steamfitters
Repairmen and roaintenancemen .
Crane operator
Maintenance mechanics and helpers,
etc
Carpenters and helpers
Welders
Painters
Pavers
Blacksmiths and helpers
Bricklayers
Sewer cleaners
Catch-basin machine operators . . . .
Heavy motor equipment operators.
Motor equipment operators
Junior building custodian
Garage attendants
Laborers
Constables
Totals.
44
30
131
143
169
141
111
73
59
109
181
1
361
287
6
615
184
76
12
199
156
20
44
3
384
34
35
Public Works Department.
11
Number of Employees Actually Employed January I, 1956, and
January 1, 1957.
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11
181
380
357
629
188
130
2,010
January 1, 1957
34
98
12
168
383
361
614
184
131
1.985
TotaJ Eligible Force.
January 1, 1956.
January 1, 1957.
35
101
11
182
382
359
631
190
131
35
99
12
169
384
361
615
184
131
2,022
1,990
Appointments, Transfers, Resignations, Retirements, Deaths,
etc., of Employees.
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Services.
1956-1957.
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2
1
4
1
2
2
9
1
2
4
12
2
5
2
10
8
21
1
6
4
11
1
10
1
3
3
1
2
1
4
1
3
4
9
13
1
4
6
14
25
72
11
27
12
46
11 I Central Office.
131 I Automotive...
182 I Bridge
359 I Highway
631
190
35
101
382
2,022
Sanitarj-,
Sewer. . .
Survey. .
Tunnel. .
Water. . .
Totals.
12
131
169
361
.615
184
35
99
384
1,990
12 City Document No. 18.
APPENDIX A
REPORT OF THE AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION
FOR THE YEAR 1956
To the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
I am submitting herewith the annual report of the
Automotive Division of the Pubhc Works Department
for the year ending December 31, 1956. This report
covers the activities of the five garages, the Mobile
Guard Section, and the Motor Patrol.
The quota of employees assigned to the Automotive
Division was one hundred thirty-nine, but, due to
vacancies, the number of employees averaged one
hundred thirty-one. These employees were assigned
to the following duties: One chief automotive engineer,
in charge of the division; nine employees assigned to
office work; four employees assigned to the stock room;
three employees assigned to wreckers; forty-one em-
ployees assigned to repair work; thirty-seven employees
assigned to maintenance of buildings, gasoline and oil
dispensing, cleaning, watchmen's duties, and motor
vehicle operation; and thirty-six employees assigned
to the Mobile Guard Section which maintains a watch
over Public Works Department property and equip-
ment between the hours of 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m.
The office maintained by the division at City Hall
processed 2,048 requisitions in 1956, of which 1,217
were service orders, and 831 were purchase orders. A
petty cash fund of $300.00 was used to make about one
hundred purchases a month, usually under $3.00 each.
The City Hall office reports the following expenditures
from the 1956 appropriation:
Public Works Department. 13
Personal services .
Contractual services
Materials and supplies
Rents and registration fees .
Purchase of new equipment
$464,763 00
65,283 00
211,929 00
12,522 00
12,184 00
$766,681 00
An equipment loan of $340,000.00 was issued in 1956
to purchase new automotive equipment, and from this
loan, and Water Division and Snow Removal funds
the following equipment was ordered:
For Sumner Traffic Tunnel:
One wrecker
One jeep
For Highway Division:
One crawler tractor with angle dozer
One diesel road grader
Sixteen sedans
Two International travelalls
Twenty three-ton three-yard dump trucks
One five-ton five-yard dump truck
One power lawn mower
For Sewer Division :
One half-ton pick-up truck
Two International Travelalls
One one-ton express truck
One two-and-one-half-ton three-yard dump truck
One three-ton three-yard dump truck
Two two-ton two-yard dump trucks
Two bucket machines (sewer cleaning)
One sewer rodding machine (trailer)
Miscellaneous sewer cleaning tools, sewer rodders, etc.
Three sedans
For Sanitary Division:
Thirteen sedans
Eighteen two-and-one-half-ton three-yard dump trucks
Nine three-ton twelve-yard ash body trucks
Eight half -ton pick-up trucks
Six Dempster-Dumpster rubbish containers
For Automotive Division :
One wrecker
One sedan
Two half-ton pick-up trucks
14 City Document No. 18.
For Bridge Division:
One half-ton pick-up truck
One two-and-one-half-ton lumber truck
Two sedans
For Water Division:
Ten express trucks
One sedan
One truck with hydraulic crane
From Snow Removal funds :
Three snow plows for heavy duty equipment
Twenty-three snow plows for trucks
Three Scotchman salt spreaders
A complete list of all automotive equipment is attached.
Several improvements to the buildings and equip-
ment were made in 1956. We installed new lubrication
equipment at the Highland Street garage, and we
installed an air compressor at the Gardner Street dump.
We changed the Albany Street garage from direct cur-
rent to alternating current; this included the oil burner,
the gas pumps, all doors, etc.
The building at Highland street used as the welding
shop was improved by the installation of glass block
windows, and the oil burner at Highland street was
thoroughly overhauled. The addition to the stockroom
was completed, and new bins were installed giving us
twice the space we formerly had, and increasing stock-
room efficiency.
The repair shop at Highland street performed ap-
proximately one hundred overhaul jobs, one thousand
major repair jobs, and twelve thousand minor repair
jobs, including tire repairs and lubrication check-ups.
The Mobile Guard and the Motor Pool operated in a
satisfactory manner during 1956. The Motor Pool
consists of one dispatcher, and nine drivers (one from
the Automotive Division). The dispatcher makes all
assignments to the drivers, and also has charge of the
short-wave radio. Within the Public Works Depart-
ment there are forty-one cars equipped with two-way
radios. The Motor Pool assignments outside the Public
Works Department consist of the following:
Public AVorks Department.
15
Institutions Department, convejing patients to Tewks-
bury, Long Island, and Nazareth.
Purchasing Department, con^'eJ'ing inspectors to sources
of supplies.
Public Library, checking district libraries.
Election Department, conveying voting machine inspectors,
and work on election day.
Assessing Department, Printing Department, Public Cele-
brations, and Mayor's Office, various assignments.
Real Estate Division, conveying city auctioneer to those
locations where city-owned property is to be auctioned.
The Mobile Guard Section, with thirtj-six men and
four vehicles, patrolled the city, protecting Public
Works Department property. The fifteen mobile guards
are assigned to various shifts, 4.00 p.m. to 12.00 mid-
night, and 12.00 midnight to 8.00 a.m., as well as around
the clock on Saturday, Sunday, and holidaj^s. The
guards inspect all yards, and, at each location, punch a
Detex time clock. Watchmen are permanently sta-
tioned on locations where experience has shown that it
is advisable to have a man present at all times to protect
city property.
Respectfully submitted,
James H. Ste\vart,
Chief Automotive Engineer.
\BER OF EACH TYPE OF AUTOWOTJVE EQUIPMENT
IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTA\ENT
Passenger cars 83
Trucks, half-ton ....
43
Tmcks, 1 to U ton
49
Trucks, 2 to 3 ton
137
Trucks, 5 to 8 ton
5
Compressor (mounted on trucks)
10
Trailer compressors
2
Crawler tractors ....
4
Street flushers ....
6
Sidewalk rollers ....
12
Street sweepers ....
26
Snow fighters ....
36
Snow loaders and bucket loaders
7
Front bucket loaders .
21
Miscellaneous equipment
56
Total
497
16
City Document No. 18.
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Public Works Department. 17
APPENDIX B.
REPORT OF THE DIVISION ENGINEER OF
THE BRIDGE DIVISION.
To the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
Submitted herewith is the annual report of the Bridge
Division, covering the income, expenditures and opera-
tion of the Bridge Service and the Sumner Tunnel for
the year ending December 31, 1956.
Respectfully,
John J. McCall,
Division Engineer,
Bridge Division.
18
City Document No. 18.
I. BRIDGE SERVICE.
Summary of Budget Appropriations and Expenditures
Regular
Appropria-
tion
Bridges,
Repairs, etc.
Bridges, Construction of
Revenue
Non -Revenue
Balance from 1955
1956 Appropriation ....
$718,512 00
$133,867 76
80,000 00
$70,448 60
150,000 00
$1,762,802 83
3,000,000 00
Total Credits
$718,512 00
27,627 71
$213,867 76
47,000 00
$220,448 60
$4,762,802 83
Transfers from
Total
$690,884 29
690,884 29
$166,867 76
128,530 56
$220,448 60
199,876 24
$4,762,802 83
1,750,742 47
Encumbrances
Unencumbered Balance
—
$38,337 20
$572 36
$3,012,060 36
Details of Expenditures on Tidewater Bridges
TIDEWATER BRIDGES— 1956
Bridge
Draw-
tenders'
Salaries
Mechanics'
Wages
Material
Repair
Bills
Supplies,
Utilities,
Etc.
Total
$14,642 11
70,703 86
26,429 87
53,809 87
44,049 67
1,238 60
38,539 44
51,414 14
54,147 34
41,765 98
53,171 43
$3,688 00 S9fi 34
$317 54
1,598 87
25 35
1,686 18
131 98
496 61
1.777 38
2,240 62
5,979 32
2.778 81
1.450 20
866 84
$290 62
1,615 29
413 38
877 85
903 70
6 52
860 33
990 37
2,723 47
5.59 21
2 00
2,585 69
$19,034 6
78,045
29.208 :;
59,707 G
50,351 7
5,484 9
47,434
58,198 6
72,597 2
55,150 8
2,962 7
59,934 7
3,553 91
2,278 28
3,257 10
4,883 65
3,245 92
5,814 41
3,407 88
9,211 97
7,936 74
1,326 81
3.190 72
573 14
61 50
76 61
382 73
497 25
442 46
145 65
535 19
2.110 09
183 78
120 02
fChelsea South
Chelsea Street
Congress Street
*Dover Street
L Street
Maiden
Northern Avenue
Summer Street
tWarren
Andrew P. McArdle . . .
Totals
S449,912 31
$51,795 39
$5,224 76
$19,349 70
$11,828 43
$538,110 £
* Not operating as drawbridge but kept in operable condition for possible use during construction o
Fitzgerald Expressway in Fort Point Channel area.
t Closed to highway traffic on August 21, 1956. Demolition started August 27, 1956, and was sul
stantially completed by end of year.
t Closed to highway traffic on November 26. 1954 , but kept operable for possible emergency use.
Public Works Department.
19
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20 City Document No. 18.
The Bridge Division maintained twelve drawbridges
at the beginning of 1956. Three of these (Broadway,
Dover Street and Warren Bridges) were not operated
as such throughout the year; a fourth, Chelsea South
Bridge, was closed to highway traffic on August 21,
1956, and the demolition of this bridge began on
August 27, 1956.
Following is a list of the twelve drawbridges, showing
their operating status as of the present writing:
Fort Point Channel
Broadway and Dover Street Bridges
Not operating as drawbridges, but are being kept in
operable condition for possible use during construction
of Fitzgerald Expressway in Fort Point Channel area-
Summer Street, Congress Street and Northern Avenue
Bridges
Fully operating.
Reserved Channel
Summer Street (L Street) Bridge
Fully operating.
Charles River
Charlestown Bridge
Fully operating. Will be closed to navigation for
approximately 5 months during 1957, (May through
September) to permit installation of new operating
machinery.
Warren Bridge
Not operating. This bridge was closed to highway
traffic on November 26, 1954; and the draw pulled
off leaving the waterway open to navigation in operable
condition as an emergency measure, pending the com-
pletion of the Charlestown Bridge reconstruction.
Mystic River
Maiden Bridge
Fully operating.
Public Works Department. 21
Chelsea South Bridge
This bridge was closed to highway traffic on August
21, 1956, (upon completion and opening of Terminal
Street). Demolition of the bridge was commenced on
August 27, 1956, and was substantially completed by
the end of the year.
Chelsea River
Chelsea Street Bridge
Fully operating.
Andrew P. McArdle Bridge
Fully operating.
On June 30, 1956, Mr. John J. O'Neil, Head Clerk of
the Bridge Division, retired after having completed 45
years in the service of the City.
Throughout the year 1956, one roadway of the
Charlestown Bridge served to maintain traffic while
the approach spans were being reconstructed. The
upstream half of the bridge was completed as of 1956.
Highway traffic was then diverted from the down-
stream roadway to the new upstream roadway while
the downstream half was reconstructed. The final
deck slab was poured on December 28, 1956; and it
is expected that finish pavement work, sidewalk recon-
struction, etc., will be completed by early spring in
1957.
The reconstruction of the draw span was commenced
under a separate contract, on November 27, 1956; and
it is expected that work under this contract will be
completed in October, 1957. A description of the work
involved in the reconstruction of this bridge appears
hereinafter.
It is tentatively planned that when the Charlestown
Bridge project is substantially completed, Warren
Bridge will be discontinued as a public highway and the
bridge structure removed.
22 City Document No. 18.
A study has been initiated to determine the possibiUtj''
of ehminating the drawbridge at Summer street (L
street) over Reserved Channel. Until such time as this
possibility is thoroughly explored, the work of repairing
or rebuilding the bridge has been deferred. Meanwhile,
plans for the rebuilding of the South Boston approach
trestle are being drawn; and an underwater inspection
of the Boston approach trestle and the draw foundation
is being scheduled to be done early in 1957.
The findings made under this inspection, together
with the results of the study being made toward closing
of the waterway above the bridge to navigation, will
determine the manner of repairing or replacing the
bridge.
The Dover Street and West Fourth Street Bridges
are expected to be closed to highway traffic sometime
in 1957, for a period of at least 6 months because of the
Fitzgerald Expressway construction, in that area, which
is expected to begin in 1957.
As part of the expressway project, the first two spans
of the Dover Street Bridge nearest Albany street, are
to be rebuilt by the Commonwealth. However, this
will not be done until that part of Broadway Bridge
which spans Lehigh street is rebuilt, which is also to be
done by the Commonwealth as part of the expressway
project. Traffic will be maintained over Broadway
Bridge at all times, since the Lehigh street span will be
rebuilt one-half at a time.
It is hoped that the remainder of the Dover Street
Bridge as well as the three truss spans of the West
Fourth Street Bridge (which were not lost in the fire
of 1953) can be rebuilt at the time the expressway is
under construction; inasmuch as such an improvement
has been needed for many years.
The proposed rebuilding of the Summer Street Bridge
over Fort Point Channel came nearer to realization
with the authorization of a $3,000,000 bond issue for
bridge construction, which was approved by the City
Council and Mayor in October, 1956.
Public Works Department. 23
However, because of the possibility that the American
Sugar Refining Company may decide to relocate its
refinery outside the Fort Point Channel, definite plans
for the Summer Street Bridge rebuilding have been
deferred pending such a decision; since the removal
of the refinery could lead to the elimination of a draw-
span in that bridge.
The Congress Street, Chelsea Street and McArdle
Bridges are in first class condition.
Maiden Bridge has been in need of rebuilding for
many years; and it is expected that this improvement
will be made possible by virtue of the Commonwealth
undertaking the project in the near future.
In connection with the operation of the City's draw-
bridges, it should be noted that there has been a con-
sistent decline in recent years in the volume of com-
mercial and industrial types of waterborne traffic re-
quiring drawbridge openings, with the exception of the
oil traffic on the Chelsea River.
At the same time, the cost of operating and main-
taining the drawbridges has steadily increased.
Following is an 11-year summary showing the yearly
cost of operating each of our existing drawbridges, and
the number of openings per year for each, through the
period, 1946 to 1956, inclusive.
24
City Document No. 18.
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Public Works Department. 25
In addition to the cost factor, another problem re-
lated to the operation of drawbridges is that of high-
way traffic delays and disruption caused by bridge
openings at times of heavy traffic loads, particularly in
the area served by Northern avenue, Congress street
and Summer street.
An effort to remed}" this situation has been made
through a petition to the Corps of Engineers, U. S.
Army, for a change in regulations to permit closing
certain bridges to navigation from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 a.m.
on weekdays except on 10-hour notice by shipping
interests desiring an opening. Such regulations were
put into effect by the U. S. Engineers for a 60-day
trial period, ending November 14, 1956, on the follow-
ing bridges : —
Summer St., Congress St. and Northern Ave. bridges
over Fort Point Channel.
Charlestown Bridge over Charles River.
Summer St. (L St.) Bridge over Reserved Channel.
At the present time, these regulations are in effect
at the Charlestown and Summer Street (Reserved
Channel) bridges; and as regards the three bridges over
Fort Point Channel, a final decision is expected by the
U. S. Engineers early in 1957.
With reference to the inland and fixed bridges, there
is a total of 80 such bridges, including footbridges,
maintained in whole or in part by this department as
follows : —
Maintained entirely by this department
Maintained
Maintained
Maintained
Maintained
Maintained
Maintained
Maintained
ointly with New Haven RR
ointly with Boston & Albany RR
ointly with Boston & Maine RR
ointly with M.T.A.
ointly with Town of Winthrop
ointly with Town of Milton
ointly with Town of Watertown
49
15
10
1
1
1
2
1
Total SO
During 1956, the ownership and maintenance of the
Charlesgate West bridge over Ipswich street, was trans-
ferred to the Metropolitan District Commission in ac-
cordance with Chapter 581, Acts of 1956.
26 City Document No. 18.
The Rivermoor Street bridge in West Roxbury, over
the old Cow Island Pond sluiceway, was removed in
connection with the construction of Rivermoor street
and Charles Park road.
The Chelsea Viaduct (over the Mystic Docks) which
formerly connected the Chelsea South and Chelsea
North bridges, was demolished and removed by the
Boston & Maine Railroad at the time of the demolition
of the Chelsea South bridge by this department.
On November 15, 1956, bids were received for the
rebuilding of the Massachusetts Avenue bridge over
the New Haven Railroad; and a contract was awarded
on December 17, 1956, to the Builders Iron Works, the
low bidder, in the amount of $143,854.75.
This improvement will result in the elimination of
the existing through girder type of bridge and provide
for a single, clear roadway at this heavily traveled site.
Work is expected to commence in the spring of 1957,
and to be completed in six months.
The rebuilding of Winthrop Bridge over Belle Isle
Inlet, is scheduled for 1957 under a contract awarded by
the Massachusetts Department of Public Works in
October, 1956. The City of Boston and Town of
Winthrop will share the cost of this project with the
Commonwealth as follows : —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts . . . 60%
City of Boston 24%
Town of Winthrop 16%
100%
The estimated cost of rebuilding is $133,000.00.
An inspection of the steelwork of the Boylston Street
Bridge over the Boston & Albany Railroad was com-
pleted in December, 1956, under the supervision of the
W. A. Fisher Co., Inc., Consulting Engineers, who
were engaged for the purpose. An engineering report
based on this inspection will be submitted in the very
near future; and inasmuch as this bridge is in need of
Public Works Department. 27
redecking, it is intended to install a permanent type,
concrete filled, steel deck, if the structural condition of
the bridge warrants.
The Broadway Bridge over the Boston & Albany
Railroad is in poor condition and should be rebuilt.
To this end, the department has requested that the
City officially petition the Department of Public Utili-
ties to approve an order for the rebuilding of the bridge.
Major Construction Work and Repairs
A description of the major improvements and more
important work undertaken in 1956 by the Bridge
Service is as follows:
Beconstruction of Charlestown Bridge Over Charles River
{Draw Span Only)
Bids were received May 24, 1956, for the reconstruc-
tion of the draw span of the Charlestown Bridge over
Charles River and the contract was awarded to Builders
Iron Works the low bidder.
The work to be done consists of stripping the entire
draw span of existing wearing surface materials; in-
stalling a new steel floor beam and stringer system;
installing new steel roadway and sidewalk grating and
railings; replacing existing hydraulic operating machin-
ery with new toggle end lift mechanism; installing a
complete new electrical system; demolishing existing
drawtender's house; erecting a new drawtender's house
and control house; cleaning and painting all exposed
metal work.
Work commenced November 27, 1956, and it is ex-
pected it will be completed in the fall of 1957.
Estimated cost of this work is 1606,244.00.
Reconstruction of the Superstructure of the Massachusetts
Avenue Bridge Over the New York, New Haven &
Hartford Railroad
Bids for this project were received on November 15,
1956.
28 City Document No. 18.
A contract was awarded to the low bidder, the Build-
ers Iron Works, in the amount of $143,854.75.
The work to be done consists of removing the entire
present superstructure and parapet walls on the present
abutments; the new bridge will consist of steel stringers,
concrete filled steel grating sidewalks, reinforced con-
crete roadway and a bituminous roadway wearing
surface.
Work will commence in the spring of 1957 and it is
expected it will be completed in the fall of 1957.
Removing and Disposing of the Superstructure and Draw-
tender^s House of the Chelsea Bridge South over the
South Channel of the Mystic River
After the city had completed the construction of
Terminal street, Charlestown, there was no further need
for the above mentioned bridge.
After receiving publicly advertised bids, a contract
was awarded to the Builders Iron Works, low bidder,
to demolish the entire superstructure and the draw-
tender's house, and construct a new, heavy duty, steel
beam barrier, with warning signs and reflectors, and a
wire mesh fence at the dead end of Chelsea street.
Work commenced August 27, 1956, and was sub-
stantially completed by the end of the year, at a cost of
$17,640.00.
Redecking arid Repairing the Perkins Street Footbridge
over the Boston & Maine Railroad
Under a contract awarded in January, 1956, to the
Builders Iron Works, new steel stairways were con-
structed at the subject footbridge and the walkway was
replanked.
Work commenced April 4, 1956, and was completed
May 25, 1956, at a cost of $9,818.43.
Deck Repairs of Broadway Bridge over the
Boston & Albany Railroad
Due to the dangerous condition of the northerly side
of the bridge deck a contract was entered into with the
Albert C. Graglia Company to make the necessary
repairs.
Public Works Department. 29
Because of very heavy vehicular traffic on normal work
days, all work had to be done on weekends when the
area to be repaired was closed to traffic.
The main roadway of the northerly side of the bridge
was stripped of all bituminous concrete and wood
plank surfacing; and defective stringers and underplank
removed. New stringers and underplank were placed
and an asphalt plank wearing surface installed.
Work commenced August 4, 1956, and was completed
September 2, 1956, at a cost of $22,742.25.
Reconstruction of Downstream Sidewalk of the Milton
Bridge over the Neponset River
To eliminate a hazardous condition of the existing
wood plank wearing surface on the downstream sidewalk
of the Milton Bridge, the subject work was advertised
and a contract awarded to Martin J. Kelly Company,
Inc., low bidder.
The work consisted of removing the old wearing
surface planking and wooden stringers; removing and
resetting the metal bridge railing; and constructing a
new reinforced concrete sidewalk with, high curbs and
cleaning and painting the fence.
Work commenced September 17, 1956, and was
completed October 17, 1956, at a cost of $7,459.27.
Emergency Replacement of Main Drive Shaft of the
Chelsea Street Bridge over Chelsea River
An emergency contract was negotiated with the
General Ship and Engine Works, Inc., to make repairs
to the operating machinery of the subject bridge.
The defective main drive shaft (downstream unit)
was removed and taken to the shop where the existing
pinion gears, brake drums, etc. were removed. A new
drive shaft was furnished including all machinery and
shop work, with the existing pinion gears, brake drums,
etc., being pressed into place. The new drive shaft
was then installed in place, with several test openings
being made to insure proper operation.
Work commenced on May 28, 1956, and was com-
pleted August 16, 1956, at a cost of $2,974.74.
30 City Document No. 18.
Emergency Repairs to the Operating Machinery of the
Chelsea Street Bridge over the Chelsea River
Because of the defective operation of the Chelsea
Street Bridge drawspan due to a broken section of
operating rack, a contract was negotiated with the
General Ship and Engine Works, Inc., to make the
necessary repairs.
The existing broken starting rack was removed and a
new starting rack, furnished by the City, was installed.
Work was commenced March 17, 1956, and com-
pleted April 26, 1956, at a cost of $2,750.
Repairing Masonry Piers and Abutments of the Northern
Avenue Bridge over Fort Point Channel
As a result of a thorough inspection by engineers of
the Bridge Division, it was deemed necessary to repair
the subject bridge piers and abutments by means of
pointing and pressure grouting. The work was adver-
tised and a contract was awarded to the South Shore
Waterproofing Company, low bidder, to accomplish the
above mentioned repairs.
Work commenced September 24, 1956, and was
completed October 25, 1956, at a cost of $1,679.24.
Repairs to Certain Pilework at Maiden Bridge over the
Mystic River
A contract was entered into with the James B. Rendle
Company to make repairs to certain pilework of the
Maiden Bridge.
Defective piles were strengthened by fitting new
double 6" x 12" intermediate caps with new 12" x 12"
posts placed between the new intermediate caps and
the existing girder caps.
Work commenced November 14, 1956, and was
completed November 19, 1956, at a cost of $2,260.24.
Cleaning and Painting All Exposed Metalwork of the
Blakemore Street, Cummins Highway, Belgrade Avenue,
and Brooks Street Bridges
Bids for this work were received on October 18, 1956,
and a contract awarded to the R. & F. Painting Co.,
low bidder.
Public Works Department. 31
Work commenced on December 3, 1956, but due to
weather conditions work has been suspended until the
Spring of 1957.
The estimated cost of this work is $2,650.00.
Furnishing Inspection Services During Erection and
Connection of Structural Steelwork, Using High
Strength Bolts on the Approach Spans of the Charles-
town Bridge over the Charles River
In connection with the reconstruction of the Charles-
town Bridge approach spans, wherein the use of high
tensile strength bolts was allowed instead of con-
ventional rivets for making structural field connections,
a contract was negotiated with the Carney Construc-
tion Co., Inc., to supply all the necessary technical
services required to make a complete and thorough
examination and inspection of the work involving the
installation of steelwork with high tensile strength bolt
connections.
Work was commenced April 23, 1956, and completed
December 13, 1956, at a cost of $2,500.00.
Yard Forces
The maintenance force of the Bridge Service is
utilized in various repair operations of both emergency
and routine nature in repairs to bridge roadway decking,
sidewalks, fender piers, retractile bridge tracks, stair-
ways, railings and pertinent facilities.
Other work included erecting and repairing barricades
at snow dumps, dead end locations, painting of road-
way gates, fences, machinery houses, etc.; removing
and replacing counterweight elements on bascule
bridges; and cleaning bridge sidewalks and stairways of
ice and snow.
Minor repairs to the various mechanical and electrical
facilities of the draAvbridges were made by the main-
tenance mechanics and electrician.
32 City Documext No. 18.
Work Done for Other Divisions by the Bridge
Division
Sanitary Division
Repairs to Victory Road Disposal Station
The Bridge Division prepared the specifications and
furnished the engineering and inspection services re-
quired to make the necessary repairs.
The work consisted of repairing the foundation at the
rear of the building, and included removing old piles,
driving new piles, placing new girder caps and cross
bracing, and cleaning and painting the steel floor system.
Incidental work included erection of a wire mesh
fence at the site to close off access to the open area
under the building at the shore line, thereby eliminating
a hazardous condition.
A contract was awarded to C. A. Foley to make the
necessary repairs.
Work commenced October 8, 1956, and was com-
pleted October 20, 1956, at a cost of $6,660.69.
Public Works Department. 33
II. SUMNER TUNNEL.
1956 Budget Summary
Credits:
Regular Appropriations, 1956 . . . $683,830 00
Balance from Previous Year . . . 6,188 73
Pensions 48,290 72
Total Credits $738,309 45
Debits :
Expenditures — 1956 $601,579 27
Balance to Next Year 28,924 02
Pensions 48,290 72
Total Debits $678,794 01
Unexpended and Unencumbered Balance . $59,515 44
SUMMARY OF 1950 TRAFFIC BY CLASSIFICATION
No. of
Class Toll Description Vehicles
1. $0 20 Truck not in excess of 2 tons capacity.
Tractor without trailer 428,538
2. 20 Passenger car 12,018,285
3. 20 Motorcycle 2,312
4. 25 Truck over*2 tons and up to 5 tons capacity.
Tractor with trailer over 2 tons and up to 5 tons
capacity 58,328
5. 20 Passenger car with trailer 18,462
6. 35 Truck over 5 tons and up to 10 tons capacity.
Tractor with trailer over 5 tons and up to 10
tons capacity 20,025
7. 20 Tractor with trailer not in excess of 2 tons
capacity 3,105
8. 1 00 Truck over 10 tons capacity .... 1,755
9. 35 Bus with or without passengers .... 2,963
* Reserved Lane 182,953
Total traffic 12,736,726
* M.T.A. and Eastern Massachusetts Railway buses included in this classification.
7,475 M.T.A. and 75,846 Eastern Massachusetts Railway buses at 35 cents included
in this total.
34
City Document
No. 18.
COMPARATIVE 5=YEAR SUMMARY OF OPERATION, FROM
1952 TO 1956, INCLUSIVE
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
Vehicular Traffic:
Total number of vehicles . . .
9,583,972
10,835,674
11,080,966
12,094,107
12,736,7
798,664
902,973
923,414
1,007,842
1,061,3
184,307
208,378
212,513
231,945
244,5
26,186
29,686
30,359
33.135
34,8
Power Consumption:
4,582,488
4,966,604
4,527,315
5,236,214
5,614,0
Financial Results:
Operating expenditure
$541,705 30
$591,327 09
$595,127 07
$585,650 61
$649,869
Balance to next year
24,679 45
16,591 87
3,925 18
6,188 73
28,924
Interest requirements
683,105 13
687,494 39
740,213 05
760,100 00
743,991
65 25
440 60
122 85
98 60
Total Expenses
Sl,249,555 13
$1,295,853 95
$1,339,388 15
$1,395,093 63
$1,422,785
$1,932,619 83
13,135 89
$2,172,410 00
24,679 45
$2,224,195 00
16,591 87
$2,413,231 59
3,925 18
$2,550,125
6,188
Balance from previous year . . .
Total Receipts
$1,945,755 72
$2,197,089 45
$2,240,786 87
•
$2,417,156 77
$2,556,313
Net Result
$696,200 59
(Excess)
$901,235 50
(Excess)
$901,398 72
(Excess)
$1,022,063 14
(Excess)
$1,133,528
(Excess^
Uncier the provisions of Chapter 465, Acts of 1956,
which created the Massachusetts Port Authority, it was
expected that control of the Sumner Tunnel would
pass to the new Authority before the end of 1956.
However, this did not occur and it is expected that
the tunnel will not be so transferred until some time in
1957; accordingly, the city petitioned the Massachusetts
Department of Public Utilities for approval of extending
the existing toll rates for six months beyond December
31, 1956. The petition was amended at the hearing to
extend the existing rates for a full year, to December 31,
1957, unless otherwise previously changed in accordance
with the law. The petition was so approved.
The total traffic for the year 1956 amounted to
12,736,726 vehicles. This figure sets a new and all-time
Public Works Department. 35
high record since the opening of the tunnel on June 30,
1934, and an increase of traffic over the previous 3'ear
of 1955 of 642,619 vehicles.
The record high day of traffic for a 24-hour day oc-
curred May 27, 1955, when the daily traffic amounted
to 39,536 cars. This year the record high day was on
June 14, 1956, when 41,130 cars passed through the
tunnel in a 24-hour period, setting a new all-time high
daily record.
All of the electrical and mechanical equipment and
all machinery throughout the tunnel is in good operating
condition. All equipment is under a daily routine of
maintenance and inspection, and any repairs or adjust-
ments or replacements that may be required for efficient
operation are made as required.
Contracts Awarded ix 1956
1. Repairs to Granite Block Roadway
During the year 1956, 980 yards of granite block
pavement were removed and relaid by the Eastern
Roads Company at a cost of $13,576.00. All of this
work was performed after midnight and before 7.00 a.m.
and with no interference with vehicular traffic.
2. Drainage System
The surface drainage system of the Sumner Tunnel
consists of three separate sections — Boston Plaza sec-
tion. East Boston Plaza section, and the tunnel sec-
tion. During the past year this work was completed
by the Albany Contracting Company for the sum of
$1,697.00. The work performed under this contract
consisted of cleaning out the entire drainage system,
including removing and disposing of all waste material,
as required in written specifications covering this work.
S. Cleaning Drop Inlets and Satid Traps
An Invitation Bid was awarded to the Bennington
Construction Company for the furnishing of all labor
and tools, equipment, etc., to clean out and remove all
36 City Document No. 18.
dirt, sand, etc., from 72 drop inlets, 2 sand traps, and
from the 6-inch pipe connecting the drop inlets and the
sand traps, for the sum of $650.00.
4. Cleaning Exhaust Air Ducts, Exhaust Fan Rooms in
Ventilation Buildings
During the past year a contract was awarded to the
Albany Contracting Company to clean the entire
exhaust air duct and all the exhaust fan rooms, for the
sum of $2,033. This work is performed each year in
order to maintain the efficiency of the ventilation system.
5 — Rodding Ducts, Cleaning Chambers
In anticipation of installing a new control cable
during the year 1957, a contract was made with Hugh
Nawn, Inc., to furnish all labor, and materials, tools
and equipment to complete the following work of re-
moving all splicing chamber covers, cleaning 13 splicing
chambers, and rodding and cleaning 4,553 linear feet
of 35-inch fibre duct for the sum of $1,600. This work
was performed between the hours of 1.30 a.m. and
5.30 A.M., and with no interference to vehicular traffic.
6 — New Control Cable
Specifications were written and a contract awarded
to Grainger-Rush Company of Boston to furnish and
supply 4,850 feet of 259 conductor. No. 19 copper,
polyethylene and plastex jacketed cable.
This new control cable is to replace one of the original
259 conductor, lead and latox cables that was installed
in the tunnel in 1934.
This cable will be installed some time during the
year 1957.
7 — Testing Relays, Adjusting Circuit Breakers
Each year an order is issued to the Boston Edison
Company to check and adjust all power relays for cor-
rect operation, test and sample the oil in all circuit
Public Works Department. 37
breakers and transformers for the proper oil viscosity,
adding oil or replacing it as needed. The estimated cost
of this work amounted to $1,500.
8 — Painting, Cleaning Ventilation Equipment
A contract was awarded to the Joseph and Nicholas
Bello Company to clean and paint the ventilation
equipment in the two Ventilating Buildings. There
are 14 fans in each building, i.e., 7 blower fans and 7
exhaust fans. All work is to be done in accordance with
written specifications covering this work, all for the
sum of $7,941. This work will be completed in 1957.
38 City Document No. 18.
APPENDIX C
REPORT OF THE DIVISION ENGINEER OF
THE HIGHWAY DIVISION
To the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
The following report of the income, expenditures,
and operation of the Highway Division of the Public
Works Department is hereby submitted for the year
ending December 31, 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTHFORD J. KeLLEY,
Division Engineer, Highway Division.
Public Works Department.
39
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Paving Service
Summary of Budget Appropriations
Appropriation.
Total Credits.
Expenditures.
Balance
Unexpended.
Paving Service
Reconstruction of
Streets
Public Ways, Construc-
tion of (Revenue) . . . .
Public Ways, Construc-
tion of (Non-Revenue)
Sidewalks, Construction
and Reconstruction of
Street Signs
Snow Removal
$1,712,187 28
77,232 82
176,084 08
4,072,939 58
193,681 67
10,236 65
1,333,232 36
$1,540,005 65
56,660 48
169,746 04
2,495,543 42
52,465 95
6,201 12
1,333,232 36
$172,181 63
20,572 34
6,338 04
1,577,396 16
141,215 72
4,035 53
None
In the Permit Office, the following income was re-
ceived for 1956:
Signs, marquees, etc.
Sidewalk Licenses
Rents ....
Notifications
Driveway Applications
Permits (Chapter 27 of Ordinances )
Deposits for Street Openings .
Total revenue received
$70,850 90
24,177 15
5,896 70
150 00
1,036 00
51,384 37
96,538 68
$250,033 80
Number of Permits and Licenses Issued for 1956
Signs, etc
Sidewalk licenses
Street openings (deposits) . . . ,
Permits (occupation and street opening)
Public utilities (street openings)
City departments (street openings)
Driveway applications . . . .
10,516
380
666
5,644
2,998
1,220
500
Total 21,924
40 City Document No. 18.
Money received from permittees and charged to the
Street Opening Account was spent for repairs of open-
ings for drains and water services (new) during 1956
to the amount of $45,500.
The regular forces of the Paving Service were employed
as usual in the maintenance of public streets, resurfacing
and patching macadam pavements, patching permanent
pavements, such as asphalt and granite block, and main-
taining gravel, brick, and artificial stone sidewalks.
In the snow removal season, division forces were
employed in spreading rock salt and sand on icy streets
and also supervised plowing work throughout the city
by 250 contractors' hired plows after snowstorms. All
snow removal bills for plowing, hauling, force account
work, cubic yard removal, etc., were processed through
the Paving Service office.
The following work was done in placing new street
signs and replacing and repairing existing street signs :
Erected 193 4-inch street signposts.
Erected 15 new hero square signs for dedication.
Replaced 121 hero square signs.
Installed 729 new street signs.
Removed 411 old hand-painted signs, damaged baked-
enamel signs and obliterated signs.
Repaired and straightened 265 bent or broken street sign-
posts (4-inch type).
Repaired 310 broken street sign frames.
Welded 69 4-inch street signposts.
Repaired 509 street sign frames, collars, and brackets on
4-inch street signposts and light poles.
Removed 156 pieces of rope, wire, old tires, etc., from
4-inch street signposts and light poles.
Installed 563 street sign frames.
Installed 448 street sign collars on 4-inch street signposts
and light poles.
Installed 137 adapters on wooden poles.
Installed 164 4-inch acorns on 4-inch street signposts.
Installed 138 "Private Way" signs on 4-inch street sign-
posts.
Removed —
77 "Private Way" signs from 4-inch posts and light poles
because of the change to public ways.
Public Works Department. 41
Painted —
911 4-inch street signposts
1,043 street sign frames
898 4-inch acorns on 4-inch posts
942 street sign collars on street signposts and Ught poles
Installed —
14 directional signs on 4-inch posts
Washed and cleaned —
576 street sign name plates
Painted —
183 blanks for temporary name plates
Contracts were awarded for the construction and
reconstruction of 142 streets during the 3'ear, and 104 of
these were completed. Work was also completed on 73
streets which were unfinished from 1955. Contracts
were awarded for the construction of sidewalks in 38
streets, and 13 of these w^ere completed. Sidewalk work
was also completed on 20 streets which were unfinished
from 1955.
Some of the more important thoroughfares on which
reconstruction work was completed in 1956 are as
follows :
Alford street, from 450 feet north of Arlington avenue to
Everett line.
Cummins Highway, from Harvard street to Mattapan
square.
Dorchester street, Dorchester avenue to Broadway.
Hyde Park avenue, from Walk Hill street to Metropolitan
avenue.
Huntington avenue, from Tremont street to Brookline line.
River street, from Cummins Highway to Riverside Drive.
Terminal street, from Medford street to northeasterly and
easterly for 3,100 feet.
Washington street, Egleston square to Forest Hills.
Grove street, from Spring street to Dedham line.
Adams street, Bowdoin street to Dorchester avenue.
Beacon street. Park street to Tremont street.
Brookline avenue. Beacon street to Park Drive.
Causeway street, Nashua street to Leverett street.
Chelsea street, Bennington street to Chelsea Street Bridge.
Dudley street, Centre street to Washington street.
Friend street. Causeway street to Merrimac street.
Maverick street, Chelsea street to Orleans street.
Portland street, Hanover street to Merrimac street.
Preble street, Old Colony avenue to Dorchester avenue.
42 City Document No. 18.
South street, Washington street to Asticou road.
Traverse street, Portland street to Canal street.
Washington street, Williams street to Zeigler street.
The following is a list of streets constructed and
reconstructed and sidewalk work done by contract in
the various wards of the city in 1956:
Ward 1 — Drumlin road, Harmony street, Marion court,
Montmorenci avenue, Haynes street, Maverick square,
Maverick street, Webster street. Meridian street (corner
cutback and traffic island).
Ward 2 — Terminal street, Austin street (corner cutback),
Alford street (chapter 90), Chelsea street (corner cutback).
Monument street (roadway widening), Park street and City
square (radius change).
Ward 3 — Dock square, Cambridge street, Dorchester
avenue. Mi. Washington avenue. Ash street, Bristol street,
Broadway (chain-link fence). Post Office square. Beacon
street. Causeway street. Friend street, Jolin F. Lindsay
square, Market street, Portland street. Traverse street,
Sudbury street, Merrimac street. Province court, Broadway,
Harrison avenue, India street, Kneeland street, Atlantic
avenue. Court square, Hawley street, Franklin street, At-
lantic avenue (corner cutback).
Ward 4 — Boylston street, Massachusetts avenue, Belvi-
dere street, St. Cecilia street, Francis street (roadway
widening), Leon street (corner cutback), Joslin road.
Ward 5 — Charles street, Mt. Vernon street, Walnut
street, Pinckney street (sidewalks). River street (sidewalks),
Clarendon street and Boylston street (corner cutback),
Stuart street and Broadway (corner cutback). Common-
wealth avenue, Brookline avenue and Beacon street (corner
cutback and traffic island), Jersey street, Boylston street,
Massachusetts avenue, Tremont street, Chestnut street,
Charles and Boylston streets (install traffic island).
Ward 6 — Melcher street, Granite street, Dorchester street,
Bowen street, E street, H street, Tudor street, O street.
Ward 7 — Dorchester street, Harrow street, Eastman
street, Humphreys street, Columbia road, E street, O street,
Boston street (safety barriers). East Sixth street (safety bar-
riers), Father Anthony Songin Way (chain-link fence).
Ward 8 — Albany street, Harrison avenue, Wareham
street, East Concord street, Warren street, Washington
street, Massachusetts avenue (corner cutback), Worcester
square (roadway widening).
Ward 9 - — Warren street and Zeigler street (corner cut-
back), Dudley street, Warren street, Washington street.
Ward 10 — Centre street (sidewalks). Heath street (side-
walks), Huntington avenue (chapter 90), Ellingwood street
(chain-link fence), St. Alphonsus street.
Public Works Department. 43
Ward 1 1 — Washington street (sidewalk narrowing),
Ackley place, Bancroft street, Boynton street. Hall street,
Jamaica street, Marmion street, Minton street, Montebello
road, Meehan street, Highland street (chain-link fence),
Granada park, Hampstead Lane, Rocky Nook terrace,
Washington street (chapter 90), Columbus avenue (chapter
90), Child street, Morton street, St. Joseph street, Forest
Hills street.
Ward 12 - — Langford park.
Ward 13 — Mt. Vernon street, Grampian Way.
Ward 14 — Brookview street, Stratton street, Wilcock
street, York street. Blue Hill avenue at Talbot avenue
(traffic island). New England avenue, Woodrow avenue.
Ward 15 ^ — Dorchester avenue. Evert on street, Juliette
street, Mt. Ida road. Homes avenue (sidewalks), Adams
street.
Ward 16 — Hilltop street and Crockett avenue (corner
cutback), Victory road, Dix street, Parkman street.
Ward 17 — Peacevale road, Wilmington avenue, Man-
chester street, Milton avenue (sidewalks), Mary knoll street,
Tanglewood road, Wichita terrace, Woodrow avenue.
Ward 18 — Austin street, Fairmount avenue, Glenwood
avenue, Perkins avenue, Pleasant street, Vose avenue, West-
minster street, Hyde Park avenue (chapter 90), Alwin street,
Cheryl Lane, Stonehill road, Stonehill terrace, Alabama
street, Itasca street. Savannah avenue, Mildred avenue
(sidewalk narrowing), Milton street (chain-lmk fence),
Cummins Highway (chapter 90), River street (chapter 90),
Ayles road, Edwardson Street Extension, Ellard road,
Frazer street, Lewiston street. Brush Hill terrace, Farwell
avenue, Maryknoll street, Maryknoll terrace, IMildred Ave-
nue Extension, New Bedford street, Brockton Street Ex-
tension, Winthrop street, Harvard avenue, Cedrus avenue,
Como road (roadway widening).
Ward 19 — • Bussey street (roadway widening and traffic
island). South street.
Ward 20 — Emmonsdale road, Walworth street, Woodard
road. Park street, Washington street, Brahms street (side-
walks). Knoll street (sidewalks), Pelton street (sidewalks),
Yorktown street (sidewalks), Westmount avenue (side-
walks). Wren street (sidewalks), Brucewood street, Laurie
avenue, Pomona avenue. Sparrow street, Rickerhill road,
Brownson terrace. Cricket Lane (safety barriers), Walworth
street (safety barriers), Bussey street (roadway widening
and traffic island), Cricket Lane (sidewalks), Primrose
street, Grove street (chapter 90), New Haven street.
Ward 21 — Dustin street, Nottinghill road. Common-
wealth avenue. Harvard avenue, Thorndike street, Beacon
street (roadway widening).
Ward 22 — Dustin street, Caltha road. Guest street
(roadway and corner cutbacks), Brooks street (safety bar-
riers).
44
City Document No. 18.
Work Done by Contract in 1956
Item
Excavation, earth and services
Excavation, rock
Bank gravel ....
Crushed stone for edgestone .
Base removed ....
Pavement removed .
Edgestone, straight .
Edgestone, circular .
Corners
Edgestone, reset and/or relocated
Edgestone, hauled
Macadam base (crushed stone)
OA asphalt ....
Concrete base ....
Concrete, backing up sidewalks
Bituminous concrete base for roadways
Bituminous concrete top for roadways
Bituminous concrete base for sidewalks
Bituminous concrete top for sidewalks
Sheet asphalt top
Artificial stone sidewalks
Artificial stone driveways
Loam spaces ....
Loam in back of sidewalks
Covers reset ....
Catch basins or manholes rebuilt
Catch basins or drop inlets built
Street sign posts set or reset .
Parking meters reset
Stone bounds ....
Quantity
54,819 cubic yards
1,782 cubic yards
53.725 tons
2,24G tons
11.726 square yards
41,819 square yards
27,213 linear feet
4,790 linear feet
965 each
54,687 linear feet
6,629 linear feet
15,743 tons
153,471 gallons
5,422 cubic yards
7 cubic yards
38,263 tons
31,142 tons
1,721 tons
1,529 tons
1,780 tons
790,731 square feet
71,463 square feet
3,815 square yards
541 cubic yards
3,335 each
92 each
64 each
367 each
171 each
111 each
Total Pavement
437,492 square yards of bituminous concrete pavement
25,020 square yards of sheet asphalt pavement
Yearly Report of Work Done by Department
Forces for 1956
Brick sidewalks, laid and relaid
Gravel sidewalks, relaid ....
Artificial stone sidewalks, laid (new)
Artificial stone sidewalks, relaid (old) .
Bituminous concrete sidewalks
Block gutters
Artificial stone sidewalks, patched with
black top
Edgestone reset (old) ....
3,675 square yards
1,166 square yards
15,727 square feet
106,488 square feet
8,727 square yards
10 square yards
10,355 square feet
3,201 linear feet
Table
Showing Length and
Area
OF Paving
ON Accepted Streets,
Corrected to January
1, 1957
Length
m Miles.
Area in
Square Yards.
Sheet
Asphalt.
tAspholt
Concrete.
tGranite
Block.
Wood
Block.
Plank
Bridges.
Brick.
}Con-
1 Macadam.
Gravel.
Not
Graded.
Totals.
Sheet
Asphalt.
tAsphalt
Concrete.
{Granite
fllock.
Wood
Block.
Plank
Bridges.
Brick;
$Con Crete.
IIMacadam.
Gravel
Not
Graded.
Totals.
Vear 1955 Report
235.10
31.63
316.67
42.60
30.15
4.05
0.17
0.02
0.35
0.05
0.50
0.07
20.72
2.79
129.95
17.48
8.77
1.18
0.97
0.13
743.35
100.00
4,735,490
32.94
6.205,924
43.17
714,977
4.98
3,056
0.02
9,244
0.07
8,867
0.06
421,437
2.93
2,092,022
14.55
152,948
1.06
31,463
0.22
14.375.428
Januabv 1. 1957.
49.63
4.43
2.97
11.34
41.43
35.28
53.52
21.13
7.84
30.14
7.11
21.98
19,50
34.75
86,07
81.32
32.33
24 , 24
9.31
4,98
3.03
5.71
2.53
0.03
0.48
0.29
0.00
0,06
0.06
0-00
0.09
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.31
0.02
0.02
0.14
0.01
3.01
0.76
1,39
0.43
4.58
2.93
5.17
0.86
0.64
2.72
5.30
8.95
6.63
11.16
29.97
33.95
10.61
14.03
0,30
0.03
0.22
fl.U
0.50
2.39
1.82
0.47
4.12
0.01
0.0-1
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.02
0.20
95.57
22.70
38.62
44.27
95.09
166.71
176.36
65.77
52.00
1,100,192
86,984
64,352
238.0S3
840,326
623,829
1,011,286
467,376
134,509
692,418
189.103
.502,499
396,970
656,380
1,589,359
1.521,307
626,321
473,016
184,454
120,512
03,773
105,099
38,747
3,098
12,313
23,791
45
278
1.503
355
3.258
1,098
355
892
4.398
321
1,370
2,561
145
96.408
13,921
47,177
20,992
70,122
41,291
83,059
24,457
10,086
41,746
73,410
195,422
110,403
100,370
483,184
52,5,184
171,043
243.195
6,087
407
3,635
1,230
8.364
45,356
30.13.'.
7,466
68.519
41
812
15.754
27
5.390
1.737
50
4.506
South Boston
951.754
1.770.897
West Roxbury
0.03
0.04
0,04
0.08
0,03
338
983
985
1,231
442
2.792.490
3.186,489
1,321,735
934,318
227.57
30.46
337.44
45.17
26.36
3.53
0.15
0.02
0,35
0.05
0.50
0.07
19.77
2.64
124.22
16.63
9.96
1.33
0.77
0.10
747.09
100.00
4,573,537
31.62
0,047,373
45.96
611,832
4.23
2.474
0.02
9,244
0.06
8.795
0.06
407.513
2.82
2,003.957
13.85
171,205
1.18
28,317
0.20
14,464,247
Percent
100.00
Total Public Streets 747.09 Mil:
Note. — In the above tuble the city is subdivided aubatantially on the boiindarj' Hnea betwei
0.02 mite or 185 square yards is cobble; and 14.52 miles or 4U,4S4
granite block paving on concrete base,
0.06 miles or 435 square yards is Blome granitoid concrete block.
109.25 miles or 1,779,298 square yards is bituminous macadam.
} they existed when annexed to Boston. Territory i
:cd from Brookline included in City Proper.
r 50.590 square yards is Tar Concrete; and 05.31 miles
thic; and 2.28 miles or 37.317 square yards is Topeka;
and O.Ofi miles' or 920 square yards is Filbertine; and 0.03 miles or 595 square yards is
Carey Elastite Asplialt Plank; and O.OG miles or 518 square yards^i
Asphalt Plank; and 0.04 miles or 572 square yards is i"
square yards is Asphalt Block.
r 36,904 square yards public alleys included in this table; 1.89 miles or 60,847 square yards public streets in charge of Park Department included in this table; 15.89 i
public streets in charge of Commonwealth of Massachusetts included in this table. In addition to this table there are 2.41 i
. SQII,
Public Works 'Department.
45
Macadam roadway patched .
Macadam roadway resurfaced
Asphalt or bituminous concrete roadway
patched
Asphalt or bituminous concrete roadway
resurfaced
Street cleaning
Snow removal
128,119 square yards
6,190 square yards
98,475 square yards
6,453 square yards
2,991 cubic yards
69,585 cubic yards
Paving Service — 1956
Street cleaning . . . .
General highway expenditures
Sidewalk and curbing
Snow and ice removal
Street signs . . . .
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Lighting Service
Financial Statement
Total credits for 1956
Total expenditures for 1956
Surplus
Individual Expenditures
Street and Park Lighting (Electric) :
Boston Edison Company $1,280,064 19
Boston Gas Company (Charles-
town District) \ . . 54,883 93
Boston Edison Company (foot-
ways) 2,435 19
Boston Gas Company (foot-
ways) 299 53
Boston Edison Company (sub-
stations) 15,043 07
Boston Gas Company (sub-
station) 4,985 35
Street Lighting (Gas) :
Boston Gas Company
American Service Company
Pohce Spotlights:
Boston Edison Company
Boston Gas Company
$40,166 41
66,336 51
$1,908 58
29 72
$25,164 83
608,728 35
231,350 11
100,263 21
24,249 70
'50 20
$1,520,081 97
1,520,010 87
$71 10
$1,357,711 26
106,502 92
1,938 30
46
City Document No. 18.
Construction:
Installation, removal, relocation
and modernization:
Boston Edison Company
Boston Gas Company .
Joseph Amara
Old Colony Construction
Company
J. Scimone ....
Salaries:
Administrative and engineering
personnel ....
Office supplies ....
Electrical maintenance and re-
placement parts
Advertising
Travel and carfare
Spotlight poles ....
$6,356 98
2,823 98
3,003 61
240 00
10,000 00
$22,424 57
$21,626 30
440 65
21,626 30
440 65
5,957 17
25 00
4 70
3,380 00
5,957 17
25 00
4 70
3,380 00
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Lighting Service
The following is an account of orders issued by the
Lighting Service of the Highway Division of the Public
Works Department during the year 1956.
Mercury Vapor Lighting Projects
In 1956 orders were issued on the following listed
streets, main thoroughfares and business areas for re-
lighting with new modern mercury vapor lighting:
Atlantic Avenue, Boston
Bigelow Street, Brighton
Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester
Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester
Brookline Avenue, Roxbury
Boston Street, South Boston
Cummins Highway, West Roxbury
Cummins Highway, West Roxbury
Centre Street, West Roxbury
Centre Street, West Roxbury
Centre Street, West Roxbury
Commonwealth Avenue, Roxbury
Units
Lumena
Each
17 single
15,000
1 single
15,000
102 twin
15,000
3 single
15,000
17 single
15,000
1 single
15,000
33 twin
15,000
2 single
15,000
31 single
20,000
1 twin
10,000
1 single
15,000
6 single
15,000
Public Works Department.
47
Commonwealth Avenue, Roxbuiy
Charles Street, Boston .
Dewey Square, Boston
Dewey Square, Boston
Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester .
East Broadway, South Boston .
The Fenway, Boston .
Forest Hills Street, West Roxbury
Fairmount Avenue, Hyde Park .
Franklin Street, Boston
Granite Avenue, Dorchester
Huntington Avenue, Boston
Huntington Avenue, Boston
Humboldt Avenue, Roxbury
Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park .
Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park .
Massachusetts Avenue, Roxbury
Massachusetts Avenue, Roxburj-
Park Drive, Boston
Purchase Street, Boston
Purchase Street, Boston
Roxbury Street, Roslindale
River Street, Dorchester
River Street, Hyde Park
Spring Street, West Roxbury
South Huntington Avenue, Roxbury
Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
Tremont Street, Boston
Tremont Street, Roxbury .
Tremont Street, Roxbury .
Washington Street, Dorchester .
Walk Hill Street, Hyde Park .
Washington Street, Roxburv and Jamaica
Plain . . . . \ .
Washington Street, Dorchester .
Units
3 twin
1 twin
1 twin
1 single
29 single
4 single
14 single
1 single
10 single
1 single
12 single
22 twin
3 single
8 single
4 single
7 single
1 single
1 single
12 single
7 single
1 twin
2 single
5 single
8 single
10 single
1 single
2 single
11 single
2 single
2 single
15 single
1 single
67
2 single
Lumens
Each
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
20,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
20,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
20,000
15,000
20,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
Incandescent Lighting Projects
In 1956 orders were issued for the installation of new
and the replacement of old lighting units.
Almont Street, Dorchester .
Bicknell Street, Dorchester .
Colchester Street, Hyde Park
Centre Street, West Roxbury
Draper Street, Dorchester .
Dakota Street, Dorchester .
Units
Lumens
Each
14 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
7 single
2,500
. 24 single
2,500
13 single
2,500
. 13 single
2,500
48
City Document No. 18.
Dana Avenue, Hyde Park .
Forbes Street, West Roxbury
Gleason Street, Dorchester .
Homes Avenue, Dorchester
Leon Street, Roxbury .
Leighton Road, Hyde Park
Moss Hill Road, West Roxbury
Norton Street, Dorchester .
Sunnyside Street, West Roxbury
Shepton Street, Dorchester
Samoset Street, Dorchester
South Street, West Roxbury
Woodlawn Street, West Roxbury
Wachusetts Street, West Roxbun
Fulton Street, Boston .
Green Street, West Roxbury
Princeton Street, East Boston
Saratoga Street, East Boston
Symphony Road, Roxbury .
Terminal Street, Charlestown
West Street, Hyde Park
Charles Park Road, West Roxbury
Fitzgerald Expressway, Boston
Freeport Street, Dorchester
Rutland Street, Boston
West Dedham Street, Boston
Worcester Square, Boston .
Centre Street, West Roxbury
Farragut Road, South Boston
Oakland Street, Brighton
Preble Street, South Boston
South Street, West Roxbury
Terminal Street, Charlestown
Units
Lumens
Each
14 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
5 single
2,500
7 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
7 single
2,500
10 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
7 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
16 single
2,500
7 single
2,500
6 single
2,500
6 single
4,000
16 single
4,000
5 single
4,000
6 single
4,000
6 single
4,000
22 single
4,000
17 single
4,000
6 single
6,000
21 single
6,000
13 single
6,000
7 single
6,000
6 single
6,000
7 single
6,000
2 single
10,000
2 single
10,000
1 single
10,000
1 single
10,000
1 single
10,000
1 single
10,000
Incandescent Lamps
Incandescent lamps of 6,000 lumens were installed
on the following streets:
Cabot street, Roxbury (1); Cunard street, Roxbury (3);
Cortes street, Boston (3); Dana avenue, Hyde Park (1);
Durham street, Boston (1); East Brookline street, Boston
(4); Follen street, Boston (1); Harvard avenue, Hyde Park
(2); Hampden street, Roxbury (1); Museum road, Roxbury
(3); South street, West Roxbury (2); Sumner street, East
Boston (1); West Springfield street, Roxbury (4); Walter
street, West Roxbury (1); West Dedham street, Boston (6);
West street, Hyde Park (1); West Canton street, Boston
(2); Warren avenue, Boston (1).
Public Works Department. 49
Incandescent lamps of 4,000 lumens were installed
on the following streets:
Bayswater street, East Boston (1); Boylston street,
West Roxbiiry (1); Central avenue, Hyde Park (1); Crescent
avenue, Dorchester (4); Centre street, Dorchester (1);
Coleridge street, East Boston (2); Dana avenue, Hyde
Park (4) ; Fors34h street, Roxbury (3) ; Field street, Roxbury
(1); Havre street. East Boston (2); Hilltop street, Dor-
chester (3); Highland street, Roxbury (2); K street. South
Boston (1); Lubec street, East Boston (3); Public Alley
No. 819, Roxbury (1); River street, Hyde Park (1); Safford
street, Hyde Park (2) ; St. Stephen street, Roxbury (4) ; South
street. West Roxbury (4) ; Terrace street, Roxbury (2) ;
Thatcher street, Hyde Park (1); Wordsworth street. East
Boston (2); Wachusetts street. West Roxbury (3); West
Milton street, Hyde Park (2); Walnut street, Hyde Park
(1); Winthrop street, Hyde Park (3).
Orders were issued by the Lighting Service for the
installation of lighting units of 2,500 lumens as follows:
AUston street, Brighton (1); Albemarle street, Boston
(2); Atherton street, West Roxbury (1); Appleton street,
West Roxbury (1); Alleghany street, Roxbury (1); Alabama
street, Dorchester (1); Austin street, Hyde Park (3); Baker
street. West Roxbury (1); Brownson terrace, West Roxbury
(1); Beethoven street. West Roxbury (4); Buckingham
street, Hyde Park (2); Bremen street, East Boston (2);
Boulevard terrace, Brighton (3); Bartlett square. West
Roxbury (2); Buttonwood street, Dorchester (2); Bussey
street, West Roxbury (2); Bradlee street, Hyde Park (1);
Burnett street, Roxbury (2); Chapel road, Hyde Park (1);
Canterbury street. West Roxbury (3) ; Corman road, Dor-
chester (2); Caryll street, Dorchester (3); Cowper street.
East Boston (3); Colchester street, Hyde Park (1); Central
avenue, Hyde Park (2); Chilcott place, West Roxbury d);
Cumberland street, Boston (2) ; Dumas street, Dorchester (] ) ;
Dyer court, Dorchester (1); Donna terrace, Hyde Park
(1); Dodge road, Hyde Park (2); Dix street, Dorchester (2);
David road. West Roxbury (2); Durham street, Boston (1);
Evans street, Dorchester (2); Ellis street, Hyde Park (2);
Eastmont road, Hyde Park (2); Emeha terrace. West
Roxbury (1); Ehvell road, West Roxbury (1); Field street,
Roxbury (3); Florence street, West Roxbury (3); FoUen
street, Boston (1); Forsyth street, Roxbury (2); Grampian
Way, Dorchester (3); Gayhead street, Roxbury (1); Grant
place, Brighton (1); Granada park. West Roxbury (3);
Greenfield road, Dorchester (3) ; Garth road. West Roxbury
(1); Groom street, Dorchester (1); Greenock street, Dor-
chester (4); Grafton street, Dorchester (1); Greenchff road,
Hyde Park (1); Hamilton street, Hyde Park (2); Homes
50 City Document No. 18.
avenue, Dorchester (5); Hackensack road, West Roxbury
(3); Hester street, Brighton (1); Hillis street, Hyde Park
(4); Harvard avenue, Dorchester (4); Harbell terrace,
Dorchester (1); Hebron street, Dorchester (1); Hackensack
court, West Roxbury (1); Harvard avenue, Hyde Park
(2); Havre street. East Boston (2).
Joan road, Hyde Park (4) ; Kittredge street. West Roxbury
(3); Kennebec street, Dorchester (1); Lenoxdale avenue,
Dorchester (1); Loring street. South Boston (1); Lorna
road, Dorchester (3); Leon street, Roxbury (7); Leighton
road, Hyde Park (6); Millstone road, Hyde Park (3); Murray
Hill avenue. West Roxbury (2); Mascot street, Dorchester
(3); Mt. Hope street. West Roxbury (3); Messinger street,
Dorchester (3); Maplewood street. West Roxbury (2);
Maple street, Hj'de Park (2) ; Mj'rtlebank avenue, Dorchester
(1); Martin street, West Roxbury (1); Manion road, Hyde
Park (2); Milton avenue, Dorchester (3); Mercer street,
South Boston (1); Madeline street, Brighton (2); Marion
street. East Boston (3); Xavillus terrace, Dorchester (1);
North End park, Boston (2); Opera place, Boston (2);
Providence street, Boston (4J; Perry court, Hyde Park (1);
Powell street, West Roxbury (1); Princeton street. East
Boston (2) ; Regis road, Dorchester (2) ; Round Hill street,
Roxbury (2); Ridgewaj- Lane, Boston (4); Ronan street,
Dorchester (1); Strathcona road, Dorchester (3); Spinney
street. West Roxbury (1); St. Joseph street. West Roxbury
(3); Safford street, Hyde Park (2); Sherrin street, Hyde
Park (1); Saratoga street. East Boston (1); Teragram street,
East Boston (1); The Fenway, Boston (3); Tavern road,
Roxbury (4); Unity street, Boston (2); Violet street, Dor-
chester (2); Vassar street, Dorchester (4); Woodcliff street,
Roxbury (1); Woodlawn street. West Roxbury (7); Wade
street, Brighton (1); Webster street, Hyde Park (4); West-
erly street. West Roxbury (3); Wordsworth street, East
Boston (1); Woodhaven street, Dorchester (1); Walnut
park, Roxbury (4); Whitney street, Roxbury (1); Zeller
street. West Roxbury (4).
Orders were issued by the Lighting Service during
the year 1956 for the installation of 1,000 lumen lighting
units as follows :
Alleghany street, Roxbury- (8); Adams street, Dorchester
(1); Banks street, West Roxbury (1); Constitution road
Dorchester (1); Hampstead Lane, West Roxburj^ (1)
Jarvis place, Roxbury (1); Keenan road, Brighton (2)
Kristin court, Hyde Park (1); Lawley street, Dorchester (1)
Lanark road, Brighton (1); Mt. Bowdoin terrace, Dorchester
(1); Mj^opia street, Hj^de Park (1); Norris road, Hyde
Park (1); Presby place, Roxbury (1); Rita road, Dorchester
(1); Rosewood street, Dorchester (1); Ryan road, Brighton
(1); Taft court. West Roxbury (1); Unity court, Boston (1).
Public Works Department. 51
Gas Lamp Replacement Program
During the year of 1956 approximately 694 obsolete
gas lamps were replaced with approximately 750 new
modern luminaires with 2,500 lumen lamps. These new
lamps, in most instances, are installed on long arms to
diminish interference with trees and to eliminate glare
from homes on residential streets.
Maintenance of Police Spotlights
Effective January 1, 1956 the Lighting Service
assumed the responsibility' for the maintenance of the
Police Spotlights in the City of Boston.
52 City Document No. 18.
APPENDIX D.
REPORT OF THE DIVISION ENGINEER OF
THE SANITARY DIVISION.
Boston, January 2, 1957.
Mr. George G. Hyland,
Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
Herewith, I submit a statement of activities and ex-
penditures of the Sanitary Division of the Pubhc Works
Department for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The personnel of this division was deeply saddened by
the untimely death of our beloved head, Division Engi-
neer Adolph J. Post, on February 12th. The duties of
his office were taken over by the General Superintendent,
Timothy J. O'Leary, and the program for the year was
carried out under his direction.
Following is a condensed statement of conditions en-
countered and activities accomplished during the year
of 1956:
Blizzards. — There were four totally unexpected and
severe blizzards occurring on March 16, 19 and 24, and
on April 8, which deposited an official snowfall of nearly
29 inches intown, and totaled much more in the out-
lying districts of the City. These storms interrupted
the start of the spring-cleaning program, as it was
necessary to gear the facilities of the Sanitary Division
quickly to emergency conditions. Employees were re-
quired to work extremely long hours for about three
weeks on plowing, sanding and removing snow and ice;
and after these storms there was a heavier than usual
burden of street-cleaning work to be done, which also
required employees to work long hours.
Incinerator. — After many conferences with Mr. Cun-
niff and Mr. Murphy of the Finance Commission, and
Public Works Department. 53
also with the engineering firm of Metcalf & Eddy (the
Boston consultants who were engaged in 1951 to pre-
pare plans and specifications for an incinerator) you,
as Commissioner of Public Works, submitted a com-
plete report to his Honor, Mayor John B. Hynes,
and his Honor approved the awarding of a contract,
on April 30, 1956, totahng $963,867, to George Allen &
Sons, Inc., of New York City, for installing four-burner
incinerator facilities in the new plant to be erected in
the South Bay area of the City.
On July 10, a contract for wash borings was awarded
the Raymond Pile Company in the amount of $2,900.
On Juh" 25, a contract was re-negotiated with Metcalf
& Eddy for plans, engineering and supervision of the
construction of the incinerator. A ceiling of $258,000
was placed on this contract.
On November 7, the Pile Driving contract was
awarded to the J. F. White Contracting Company in the
amount of $453,340.
The long-awaited future look of the Sanitary Division
began with the driving of test piles for the new in-
cinerator on December 5, by the J. F. White Contracting
Company, under the direction of Metcalf & Eddy,
consulting engineers. Three piles were driven to a
depth of 163 feet, and were tested with a load of 140
tons, meeting the Boston Building Code requirements
for bearing.
Much planning, strife and education for incineration
have taken place over the past several years, but the
first concrete step in the construction is now under
way, and a major savings in the actual cost of disposal
can be expected when this incinerator is put into opera-
tion in the not-too-distant future. It is anticipated
that it will be completed about April, 1958.
Other Activities. — In October of this year, the Old
Carpenter Shop, in the Albany Street Yard, was de-
molished, allowing greater space for storing of salt and
sand and equipment, which was badly needed.
54 City Document No. 18.
The Sale of Garbage contract with Kristoff Brothers
was renewed, so that the City received $384.61 a month
for this garbage during the entire year.
In accordance with an Amendment to the Step
Compensation Plan on Longevity Increment, the ten-
and twentj^-year step-rate service requirement was
reduced to seven and eleven years, so that 308 Sanitary
Division employees were given step-rate increases
effective Juh^ 4, 1956, in addition to the regular monthly
increments allowed during the year.
Equipment. — The Sanitary Division acquired the
following-listed new equipment during the year, which
was purchased by the Automotive Division:
Type Total Cost
13 Sedans $20,227
18 2|-ton (3 yard) Dump Trucks 45,992
9 3-ton (12 yard) Ash Body Trucks 40,196
8 §-ton Pick-Up Trucks 10,926
6 Dempster-Dumpster Rubbish Containers 3,678
$121,019
Expenditures
Payments to Refuse Collection Contractors
amounted to $2,103,346 .46
Payments to Refuse Disposal Contractors
amounted to 471,173 .99
$2,574,520.45
Payroll totals were as follows:
Administrative and General
Services $44,331 .90
Shops and Storehouse 194,894.95
Collection and Disposal 290,344 . 50
Total Sanitary $529,571 .35
Street Cleaning 1,582,317 .23
Total Sanitary and Street Cleaning $2, 1 1 1,888 . 58
Public Works Department. 55
Overtime Payrolls were as follows: Total Cost
Shops and Storehouse $4,297 .72
Collection and Disposal 5,748.60
Street Cleaning 40,185 .26
Total Overtime 50,231 .58
Total Payroll $2,162,120.16
Payments on Other Contracts $48,884.91
Supplies and Materials 50,577 . 87
Miscellaneous 6,933 . 56
Grand Total $4,843,036.95
The total expenditures for the Sanitary Division of the
Public Works Department for the year 1956 amounted
to $4,843,036.95, making a per capita cost of $6,046
for an estimated population of 801,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy J. O'Leary,
Division Engineer (Temporary),
Sanitary Division.
56 City Document No. 18.
SANITARY DIVISION — 1956
Payments to Refuse Collection Contractors
'
District
Contractor
Monthly
Contract
Price
Total
Payments
$10,400
7,328
3,953
13,400
10,350
9,615
25,900
29,100
5,310
6,729
8,140
9,980
7.170
3,690
3,560
14,300
5,000
6,390
$124,774 65
86,713 60
48,184 16
160,800 00
125,061 13
115,380 00
5A West Roxbury . . .
6A Dorchester — North
310,800 00
6B Dorchester — South
349,200 00
7A Elm Hill
William J. Banfield
63,720 00
7B Dudley . .
80,748 00
7C Mission Hill
97,680 00
119,760 00
9 South End
86,040 00
9A Back Bay. . .
44,280 00
9B Stuart
42,720 00
10 North and West Ends...
1 1 Hyde Park
Ward General Contracting Company. . . .
174,974 92
(First 3 months)
72,510 00
(Last 9 montlis)
Total
$2,103,346 46
Payments to Refuse Disposal Contractors
Description
Contractor
Monthly
Price
Total
Payments
Saugus Contract Dewey Daggett
Disposal Contract .
Rental
Bulldozer Hire
Gravel Supplied and Graded .
Total
M. DeMatteo Construction Company..
$900 00
34.760 00
Plus Ex-
tra Labor
39,090 00
Boston Consolidated Gas Company . . .
Dooley Brothers, Inc
M. DeMatteo Construction Company.
$10,800 00
457,073 89
2.400 GO
220 60
679 50
$471,173 99
Public Works Department. 57
Personnel Changes in Permanent Force during the
Year 1956.
Total PersonnelJanuaiy 1, 1956 *632
Transfers In (from other Departments and Divi-
sions)
Reinstatements
Appointments
Deaths
Resignations
Retirements
Transfers Out (to other Departments and Divisions)
Discharged or Terminated
Total Personnel January 1, 1957 . . . .
* Including 1 Military Leave of Absence,
t Total net loss of 16 employees.
13
2
18
33
665
/
11
20
7
4
49
,
t616
58 City Document No. 18.
APPENDIX E.
REPORT OF THE DIVISION ENGINEER OF
THE SEWER DIVISION.
Boston, January 2, 1957.
To the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith statement of the activities and
expenditures of the Sewer Division for the year ending
December 31, 1956.
Expenditures During 1956 — The activities of the
Sewer Division during the year consisted of advertising
for sewer construction at a contract bid price of $446,-
930.45, and the maintenance and operation of the
sewer system at a cost of $908,067.79.
Contract Work — Contract work consisted of the
extension of the sewer system to provide drainage for
new buildings and street construction and to ehminate
cesspools, the locations and cost of which are attached.
Maintenance Work — Maintenance work consisted
of the cleaning of 8,004 catch basins by contract and
3,609 by yard forces, the freeing of stopped sewers
and catch basins, and the repair of sewers, manholes,
and catch basins by the yard forces and the operation
of the pumping station and disposal works, the cost
of which is attached.
Covering In Open Brooks — On August 31, 1955, a
contract w^as awarded in the amount of $439,077 to
Pacella Bros., Inc., to enclose the main line of Stony
Brook from AVillow Avenue to Bald Knob Road in a
72" diameter reinforced concrete pipe conduit. This
work is progressing satisfactorily and will be completed
about June 1957.
On October 17, 1956, a contract was awarded in the
amount of $189,160 to Civitarese-Piatelli Corp. to
Public Works Department. 59
enclose the Canterbury Branch of Stony Brook for a
distance of about 1280 Unear feet from the main hne of
Stony Brook to beyond Canterbury Street in a 108"
diameter reinforced concrete pipe conduit, which work
is now in progress and is expected to be completed
about June, 1957.
This work will prevent widespread street flooding
that occurred in this area during the torrential rains
accompanying the hurricanes of 1954 and 1955.
Proposed Construction Work — The work of extending
the sewer system to provide drainage for new street
construction, new building construction and the elimina-
tion of cesspools w^ill continue for many years in the
future, and probably at the same rate as in the past.
In addition, a long-range sewerage works program
provides for the extension of main line surface drain
conduits and the rebuilding of several miles of very old
sewers that have settled or outlived their economic
usefulness. Details of the long-range program are
contained in a report on file in the Sewer Division.
Special Problems — In connection with the con-
struction of the tunnel section of the Fitzgerald Highway
it was necessar}' as part of the project to relocate about
350 linear feet of the East Side Interceptor in Atlantic
avenue between Oliver and Congress streets. The
State Highway Department received permission from
the State Health Department to discharge the flow of
the interceptor upstream from Oliver street into the
harbor while it was being relocated. The construction
method consisted of bulkheading the interceptor at
both ends of the section to be relocated.
The interceptor is a 2-foot 8-inch by 4-foot 6-inch
brick sewer, the lower half being a wood cradle, lined
with one course of brick, the upper half having two
courses of brick. When the section to be relocated was
exposed, the brick work of the top half for the most
part was found badly cracked and the cement joints
disintegrated; the w^ood in the lower half was found for
60 City Document No. 18.
the most part in good condition. The invert elevation
of the interceptor at this location is about Elevation —
1.5.
After the interceptor was bulkheaded and exposed,
considerable water entered the sewer trench with the
incoming tide. It was determined that this was tide
water leaking through the ground that reached and
flooded the interceptor. As far as could be determined,
the quantity of water entering the sewer trench was
handled by a 3-inch pump. While it has been known
for a long period of years that the depth of flow in the
interceptor fluctuates with the tide, a condition for
which no solution has been found, it was never definitely
known that the physical condition of the interceptor
was involved, although the extent to which it is a factor
is still unknown.
Probably the most important information resulting
from exposing the interceptor is that its physical condi-
tion indicates the probability of the need for rebuilding
as a future project. This probably could be accom-
plished successfully by the use of Gunite. It also points
out the need of rebuilding tide gates and overflows in
order to reduce the quantity of tide water entering the
interceptor. This is one of the M. D, C. projects pro-
vided for in Chapter 645 of 1951.
The Sewer Division Labor Force consists of the following
— 24 laborers, 1 carpenter, 30 motor equipment oper-
ators and laborers, 8 catch basin machine operators,
3 tide gate repairmen and 1 working foreman tide gate
repairman, 6 working foremen sewer cleaners, 16 sewer
cleaners, 5 bricklayers, 2 yardmen, 1 heavy motor
equipment operator, 5 sewer district foremen, and 1
main drainage foreman. This makes a total of 103 men
assigned to answering complaints, cleaning catch basins,
cleaning sewers, repairs to manholes and catch basins,
repairing broken sewers, and other related work.
Length of Sewers Built — ■ During the fiscal year 1956
there were built by Contractors and Day Labor 5.5012
miles of common sewers and surface drains throughout
the city. After deducting 0.5012 miles of sewers and
Public Works Department. 61
surface drains, rebuilt or abandoned, the net increase for
1956 is 5.00 miles, which added to the existing 1,286.30
miles of common sewers and surface drains and 30.93
miles of intercepting sewers, makes a grand total of
1,322.23 miles of all sewers belonging to the City of
Boston, and under the care of the Sewer Division on
January 1, 1957.
There were 167 catch basins built or rebuilt and none
abandoned or removed during the year, making a net
gain of 167 catch basins and a grand total of 24,522
catch basins under the care of the Sewer Division on
January 1, 1957.
Permit Office Report — Entrance fees to the amount of
$13,298.63 have been deposited with the Citj^ Collector
for collection from estates upon which no sewer assess-
ments were ever paid, in accordance with Ordinances
of 1945, Chapter 27, Section 10.
One thousand, one hundred and sixty-four permits
have been issued, viz. : 186 to District Foremen and
Contractors and 878 to drainlayers for repairing or
laying new house drains. Inspectors from this office
have personallj^ inspected the work done under these
drainlayers' permits.
Two thousand, one hundred and sixteen complaints
have been investigated and inspectors are instructed
to report in writing in each case.
Two thousand, four hundred and sixty catch basin
complaints were received.
Reported in writing on 3,101 municipal liens to the
City Collector, in accordance with Chapter 60, Section
25, of the General Laws. Reported orally on about
2,400 requests for information on municipal liens.
Notices have been mailed to abutters in conformity
with the Ordinances of 1925, Chapter 27, Section 8,
apprising them of the construction of new sewers or
repairs to old sewers.
Respectfully,
Robert P. Shea,
Division Engineer, Sewer Division.
62 City Document No. IS.
Calf Pasture Pumping Station, 1956
Total number of gallons of sewage pumped . . . 42,258,526,000
Average number of gallons of sewage pumped dailj' . . 115,776,000
Cost per million gallons pumped $4 75
Costs
Labor $105,652 94
Edison Power 85,442 22
Fuel Oil 4,519 92
Liquid Petroleum Gas 115 20
Supplies 2,023 47
Repairs 2,912 56
Total $200,666 31
SEWER SERVICE
Maintenance Expenditures, 1956
1. Personal Services
10. Permanent emploj-ees ....". $553,632 43
11. Temporar}' emploj-ees 1,724 90
12. Overtime 13,240 56
$568,597 89
2. Contractual Services
21. Communications $3,194 55
22. Light, heat and power 92,002 95
26. Repairs and maintenance of buildings and
structures 58,064 31
27. Repairs and servicing of equipment . . 6,416 40
28. Transportation of persons .... 1,020 55
29. Other contractual services .... 1,151 38
— 161,850 14
3. Supplies and Materials
32. Food supplies . . . . . . $12 15
33. Heating supplies and materials . . . 6,698 57
34. Household supphes and materials . . 393 60
35. Medical, dental and hospital supplies and
materials 18 08
36. Office supplies and materials . . . 2,307 57
39. Other supplies and materials . . . 9,103 62
18,533 59
4. Current Charges and Obligations
49. Other current charges and obligations . $896 35 896 35
5. Equipment
59. Other equipment $489 52 489 52
7. Structures and Improvements
71. Other structures and improvements . . $154,700 30 154,700 30
Grand Totals $908,067 79
Public Works Department.
63
Summary of Sewer Construction for Twelve Months Ending
December 31, 1956.
Districts.
Built by the
City Either by
Contract or
Day Labor.
Built by
Private
Parties.
Total Lengtlis Built.
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Miles.
1,90(1 00
1,906.00
0.3609
Roxbury
125 00
125.00
0.0237
733.20
278.00
733.20
278.00
2,4.54.90
1,984.00
0.1388
0.0527
2,454.90
0.4649
Brighton
West Roxbury
1,984.00
0.3758
5,034.00
417.00
5,451.00
1.0324
Dorchester
3,C51.51
40.60
3,692.11
0.6992
Hyde Park
11,848.17
574.89
12,423.06
2.3528
Totals
25,559.88
3,487.39
29,047.27
5.5012
Summary of Sewer Construction for Five Years Previous to
January 1, 1957.
1953
1953
1954
1955
1956
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Linear Feet.
Built by city by con-
tract or day labor . . ,
18,781.42
27,469.81
33,316.89
33,237.48
25,-559.88
Built by private parties
or other city depart-
ments
16,484.50
11,482.00
10,459.00
1,695.15
3,487.39
Totals
35,265.92
38,951.81
43,775.89
34,932.63
29,047.27
64
City Document No 18.
Total Length of Sewers.
D16TRICT8.
Total
Lengths
Built
During
Twelve
Months
Ending
December
31, 1956.
Lengths
Removed or
Abandoned
During
Twelve
Months
Ending
December
31, 1956.
Additional Lengths
for the
Twelve Months Ending
December 31, 1956.
City Proper . . .
Roxbury
South Boston . .
East Boston . . .
Charlestown . . .
Brighton
West Roxbury.
Dorchester. . . .
Hyde Park
Totals .
Linear Feet.
1,906.00
125.00
733.20
278.00
2,454.90
1,984.00
5,451 . 00
3,692.11
12,423.06
29,047.26
Linear Feet.
1,906.00
?33 . 20
8.00
2,647.20
Linear Feet.
125.00
278.00
2,454.90
1,984.00
5,451.00
3,684.11
12,423.06
26,400.07
Miles.
0.0237
0.0527
0.4649
0.3758
1 . 0324
0.6977
2.3528
.0000
Miles.
Common sewers and surface drains built previous
to January 1, 1956 . . . . . . 1,286.30
Common sewers and surface drains built between
January 1 and December 31, 1956 . . . 5.00
Common sewers and surface drains built ending
December 31, 1956 . . ... 1,291.30
City of Boston intercepting sewers connecting with
Metropolitan sewers to December 31, 1956 . 6.81*
City of Boston main drainage intercepting sewers
to December 31, 1956 24.12*
Grand total of common and intercepting sewers to
December 31, 1956 • . •. • • • • 1,322.23
Total mileage of streets containing sewerage works
to January 1, 1957 713.64
* No additional lengths built during 19.56.
Public Works Department.
Catch Basins in Charge of Sewer Division.
65
DiSTHICTB.
Catch Basins for Twelve Months
Ending December 31, 1956.
Number
Built or
Rebuilt.
Number
Abandoned
or Removed.
Net
Increase.
Total for Whole City
IN Charge of Sewer
Division.
Previous
Report to
January 1,
1956.
Grand Total
to
January 1,
1957.
/ Proper . .
bury. ...
th Boston .
■t Boston . .
-rlestown . .
;hton
!t Roxbury
Chester. . .
le Park . . .
Totals. ..
1
1
2
2
24
11
55
22
49
1
1
2
2
24
11
55
22
49
3,799
3,480
1,475
1.221
846
2,095
4,463
5,677
1,299
3,800
3,481
1,477
1,223
870
2,106
4,518
5,699
1,348
167
167
24,355
24,522
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72 City Document No. IS.
APPENDIX F.
REPORT OF THE SURVEY DIVISION FOR
THE YEAR 1956.
Boston, January 2, 1957.
To the Commissioner of Piihlic Works.
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit the following report of the
activities of the Survey Division for the year ending
December 31, 1956.
This Division performs engineering services for other
divisions of the Public Works Department and other
city departments, boards and commissions. It also
performs administrative and engineering duties required
by the Public Improvement Commission for its
operation.
The principal engineering duties include :
(a) the making of plans, survej^s, estimates and reports
relating to the laying out, widening, construction and design
of public highways;
(6) the taking of easements for sewerage works;
(c) staking out lines and grades for the construction of
highways, sewerage, etc.;
(d) the making of property surveys of land to be acquired
by the City of Boston by eminent domain;
(e) the making of plans and surveys of city-owned land
for purposes of sale, interdepartmental transfer or new
development ;
(/) the making of various engineering surveys and plans
required by other city departments.
For the Public Improvement Commission, the admin-
istrative functions include the processing of petitions,
arranging public hearings, preparing estimates and
orders relating to land damages and street and sewer
betterments, preparing orders for the laying out of
streets and the construction of streets and sewers,
preparing orders for eminent domain land takings,
Public Works Department.
73
preparing orders for the granting of permits for use of
public highways, erection of poles, etc., and the main-
tenance of all records in the charge of the Public Im-
provement Commission.
Division Expenditures, January 1, 1956 to December 31, 1956
Inclusive
Survey-
Budget
Highway
Loan
Sewer
Loan
$106,981 38
21,205 88
1,931 21
7,345 76
12 00
242 81
$68,505 05
10,094 27
105 68
*33,036 96
Contractual Services
$2 3''0 90
Supplies and Materials
* 4 200 00
Totals
$137,719 04
$111,741 90
$6 520 90
*Land Da
Total Expexditures ....
mages
. $2
55,981 90
During the period covered by this report, the Survey
Division completed one hundred twenty-nine (129)
surveys and plans for the improving of existing high-
ways, laying out of new ones and discontinuances,
totalling 12.03 miles. Twenty-eight (28) surveys and
plans for 1.70 miles of sewerage easements were also
made. Thirty (30) surveys and plans of city-owned
land or land to be taken for municipal purposes were
also made.
Field engineering work included the staking out of
forty-four (44) streets for the Paving Service of the
Highway Division, forty-three (43) for the Sewer
Division, and miscellaneous services for other city
departments. Regular routine work included the re-
surveying of street lines for private engineers wherever
existing records were inadequate or obsolete, marking
lines and grades for private construction abutting public
streets, examining land court plans for the Law Depart-
ment, preparing land damage reports for the PubUc
Improvement Commission, drafting charts, graphs, etc.,
74
City Document No. 18.
for the Administrative Services Department, City
Auditor and others. Listed below are the major engi-
neering surveys and plans completed during the period
of this report.
For the Public Improvement Commission:
Fifty-three (53) surveys and plans were made for the
laying out of 4.55 miles of public highways, as follows:
Length
Boston Proper in Feet
Castle street 700
Troy street 300
Brighton
Margo road 865
Rushmore street 430
Dorchester
Coffey street 1,035
Daytona terrace 227
Dudley terrace 133
Favre Street Extension 280
Hutchinson street 374
Messinger street 700
Royal road 315
West Howell street 335
East Boston
Beachview road
Vienna street .
Hyde Park
Ashville road .
Derry road
Dietz road
Dodge road
Eastmont road
Farwell avenue
Greenwood Circle
Kardon road .
Leighton road
Meadowview road
Melba Way .
Millstone road
Safford street
Senders court
Roxhury
Joslin street .
688
320
490
500
1,380
300
410
450
260
270
1,130
890
355
240
1,050
440
290
Public Works Department.
75
South Boston
Claflin street .
Liberty place .
Lovis street .
Pickering place
Length
in Feet
350
125
115
125
West Roxhury
Ascent street .
Ashland avenue
Byrd avenue .
Capital street
Charles Park road
Crockers Lane
DeStefano road
Furbush road
Graham terrace
Hackensack court
Larch place
Marlin road .
Meyer street .
Newfield street
New Haven street
Rosecliff terrace
Selwyn street
Sherbrook street
Spinney street
Welton road .
320
630
500
332
1,150
435
480
390
200
250
200
315
220
500
870
235
200
495
316
255
Thirt3^-four (34) surveys and plans were made for the
widening and relocation of 2.25 miles of public highways
as follows :
Asylum street, Boston Proper
Austin street, Hyde Park ....
Baker street, West Roxbury, at Newton line
Bunker Hill street, Charlestown
Centre street. West Roxbury
Chestnut Hill avenue, Brighton
Como road, Hyde Park
Cowper street. East Boston
Cookson terrace, Dorchester
D street. South Boston
Fairway street, Dorchester .
Forsyth street, Roxbury
Gardner street. West Roxbury
Guest street, Brighton .
Harrison avenue, Boston Proper
Length
in Feet
260
78
133
280
500
108
150
300
100
20
22
800
1,800
57
1,100
76
City Document No. 18.
Hunter street, Charlestown
Joiner street, Charlestown .
Leon street, Roxbury .
Montebello road, West Roxbury
Monument street, Charlestown
Morton street, Dorchester .
Perkins street. West Roxbury
Preble street. South Boston
Poplar street. West Roxbury
Ritchie street, Roxbury
Ritchie street, Roxbury
Rivermoor street, West Roxbury
Ruggles street, Roxbury
Saratoga street. East Boston
Selkirk road, Brighton .
Vine street, Charlestown
Washington street, Boston Proper
Washington street, Roxbury, at Arnold street
Williams street. West Roxbury .
Length
in Feet
181
15
20
20
100
90
750
40
200
220
160
725
500
1,880
352
27
820
75
16
Twenty-one (21) surveys and plans were made for the
discontinuance of 1.36 miles of public highways as
follows :
Length
in Feet
108
770
54
320
360
125
340
490
225
153
66
430
430
30
137
Drive-in) 1,050
495
495
115
48
950
Beacon street (Building line), Boston Proper
Chelsea street, Charlestown
Crehore road. West Roxbury
Davis street, Boston Proper
Decatur street, Boston Proper
Fairway street, Dorchester .
Florence street, Boston Proper
Genesee street, Boston Proper
High street, Boston Proper
Hillis road, Hyde Park
Mt. Vernon street, Dorchester
Oneida street, Boston Proper
Oswego street, Boston Proper
Providence street, Boston Proper
Ramsdell street, Hyde Park
Rivermoor street. West Roxbury (through
Rochester street, Boston Proper
Seneca street, Boston Proper
Vienna street, East Boston .
West Selden street, Dorchester
Wexford street, Brighton
Public Works Department. 77
Seventeen (17) surveys and plans were made for the
alteration (specific repair) of 3.51 miles of public high-
ways as follows:
Length
in Feet
Ash street, Boston Proper 440
13,409
100
750
460
250
20
Blue Hill avenue, Dorchester and West Roxbury
Boylston street, Boston Proper, at Charles street
Centre street, Roxbury, at Columbus avenue .
Columbus avenue, Roxbury, at Centre street .
Francis street, Roxbury
Franklin street, Boston Proper, at Hawley street
Greenfield road, Dorchester, at Cummins Highway 20
North Grove street, Boston Proper, at Fruit street 20
Old Morton street, Dorchester 27
Summer street. South Boston 2,360
Troy street, Boston Proper 470
Washington street, Boston Proper, at Hay ward place 10
Washington street, Roxbury, at Eustis street . . 62
Washington street, Roxburj^, at Warren street . 77
Washington street, W>st Roxbury, at Forest Hills
street 20
Woodhaven street, Dorchester 27
Four (4) surveys and plans were made for the revision
of grade of .36 mile of public highways as follows:
Brook Farm road. West Roxburj^ .... 1,030
Brucewood street, West Roxbury .... 140
Maryknoll street, Dorchester 400
West Howell street, Dorchester 335
Seven (7) surveys and plans were made for the taking
by eminent domain of 110,545 square feet of land for
municipal purposes, as follows:
Location Area Department
Tremont street, Boston Proper 10,715 Fire
Neponset avenue, Dorchester 54,617 Fire
GaUivan Boulevard, Dorchester 21,157 Fire
Cummins Highway, Dorchester 20,716 Fire
Hanson street, Boston Proper 3,130 Park
Hawkins street, Boston Proper 79 AVelfare
Sanderson place, Brighton 131 Public Works
(Water)
78 City Document No. 18.
Twenty-eight (28) surveys and plans were made for
the taking of 1.7 miles of easements for sewerage pur-
poses as follows:
Length
Brighton in Feet
Keenan road 300
Ryan road 270
Dorchester
Caryll street 840
Merola Park 300
Messinger street 451
Orlando street 108
Savannah avenue 280
Violet street 275
East Boston
Gladstone street 100
Hyde Park
Arborfield road 1,175
Beech street 550
Coleman street 225
Greenbrook street 675
Manion road 188
Prospect park 325
Ransom road 98
Riley road 335
Ruffing street 500
West Roxbury
Courtney road 425
Furbush road 241
Hackensack square 280
Maplewood street 400
Moreland street 650
Partridge street 170
Private land, Kershaw road 50
Wilmont street 355
Winchester terrace 235
Rivermoor Street Outlet 130
For the Public Works Department (Highway Divi-
sion), forty-four (44) highways were staked out for
construction.
For the Public Works Department (Sewer Division),
one hundred one (101) catch basins were staked out.
Public Works Department. 79
Also, forty-four (44) drainage surveys and reports were
made. Lines we re given for six sewer easements. One plan
was prepared for the abandonment of a sewer easement
in private land adjacent to Wyvern street, WestRoxbury.
For the Public Works Department (Sanitary Divi-
sion) a survey and plan was made for an exchange of
land at the West Roxbury disposal area on Gardner
street. Also a topographic survey was made of the
proposed incinerator site on Atkinson street, Roxbury,
and a plan was made of an additional parcel of land
at Atkinson street to be leased from the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
For the Law Department, four (4) surveys and plans
for court purposes were made of Main street, Charles-
town, Newbury street, Boston Proper, East Newton
street, Boston Proper and Hammond street, Roxbury.
Also approximately one hundred (100) plans filed with
Land Court petitions were examined and checked for
street line references.
For the Real Property Board property plans were
made for off-street parking sites as follows :
Central street, Boston Proper
Kingston street, Boston Proper
High street, Boston Proper
Blackstone street, Boston Proper
Thomas street, West Roxbury
Square
Feet
30,113
27,426
21,333
8,363
28,052
Topographic and utility plans were also made for
the foregoing sites. Other engineering work performed
for the Real Property Board includes subdivision
surveys and plans of city land on Tenean street, Dor-
chester and River street, Hyde Park. Lines and grades
were given for construction at St. James avenue, Boston
Proper. River street, Dorchester, Belden street, Dor-
chester and Hayward place, Boston Proper. Pre-
liminary lines were given at High street, Boston proper.
A survey for the site of the Brighton Court House
was also made.
80 City Docuivient No. 18.
For the Library Department a survey was made for
the erection of a fence at the rear of the Hazleton
street, Dorchester Branch Library.
For the Park Department a survey and plan of land
on Nashua street, Boston Proper was made. Property
hues were staked out at the Ripley Playground, Dor-
chester and Smith Field, Brighton.
For the Hospital Department a plot plan was made
of the Boston City Hospital and an ambulance road
staked out at Long Island Hospital.
For the School Department a subdivision plan of the
Boston Latin School on Avenue Louis Pasteur was made .
Also a topographic plan of the Bigelow street addition
in South Boston was drawn. Property lines were staked
at the William Bacon School, Roxbury, Phineas Bates
School, West Roxbury, Eldridge Smith School, Dor-
chester, Greenwood School, Hyde Park and vacant
land at Poplar and Dale streets, West Roxbury.
For the Fire Department, topographic and utility
plans were made for new Fire Station sites at Neponset
avenue, Dorchester, Gallivan Boulevard, Dorchester,
and Cummins Highway, West Roxbury. Also a plan
was drawn showing a portion of Moon Island, Quincy,
to be transferred to the Fire Department for a Training
Centre.
For the Building Department a survey was made of
buildings at 41 Hanover street, Boston Proper.
For the Planning Board a survey was made to
determine Street Areas in the various Districts of the
City.
Stone Bounds. — In accordance with a policy established
in 1950, stone bounds were set and drilled on the follow-
ing newly constructed streets:
Number of
Street District Bounds
Alvarado avenue Hyde Park 2
Bantry Way South Boston 4
Bowditch road West Roxbury 6
Brucewood street West Roxbury 3
Chesterfield street Hyde Park 3
Colebrook street South Boston 2
Danny road Hyde Park 3
Hemman street West Roxbury 5
Public Works Department. 81
Number of
Street District, Bounds
Hillis road Hyde Park 6
Itasca street Dorchester 1
Laurie avenue West Roxbury 15
Lochland road Hyde Park 2
Manila avenue Hyde Park 3
Oakmere street West Roxbury 10
Pomona avenue West Roxbury 2
Reynolds road Hyde Park 3
Rocky Nook terrace West Roxbury 3
Searle road West Roxbury 4
Reproduction Work
The Reproduction Unit of this division continued
during the year in the making of photostats, blueprints,
etc., for various City Departments. In April a new
Pease Challenger White printing machine was installed
to replace the obsolete Ozalid machine. With the new
high speed white printer the demand for such prints
greatly increased with a considerable drop in the making
of blueprints. With this new machine we have also
begun making reproductions of office papers, notes, etc.
It is anticipated that such work will greatly increase as
the various City Departments become aware of the
variety of copy work that can be done.
Effective December 1, 1956, a revised schedule of
fees established by the City Council include a provision
for charging one dollar per sheet for photostats, plans,
etc. In arranging for the collection of this fee from the
public, it was necessary to establish a system of written
requisitions for reproduction work to be used by all
City Departments. Approximately one hundred dollars
was received during the month of November for this
new service. While the revenue from these fees is not
expected to be great, the charge will no doubt result
in a sharp drop in the requests for copies of plans made
when such copies were free.
Early in 1956 this division set up a photographic
service. A dark room has been built and equipped.
During the year photographs were taken of all newly
laid out streets showing conditions prior to construc-
tion. It is expected that these photos will prove of real
82 City Document No. 18.
value in connection with the settlement of land damage
cases. Of course photographic service is available to
other Divisions and Departments.
Reproduction work in 1956:
Department. PHSTS BPS OZS APS
Administrative Services 420 291
Printing Section
Purchasing Division 54
Assessing 2,021 12 1,453
Auditor 2,970
Boston Gas Company 10 324
Boston Edison Company 293
Building 1,318 79
City Clerk 590
City Council 1,168 8
Civil Defense 64
Compensation Review Board 552
District Attorney's Office
Finance Commission
Fire 574 36
Health 314
Registry Division 1,102
Housing Authority 126
Law.. 1,432 4 57
Licensing
Mayor's Office 1,272 222
Park 72 7
Penal Institutions
Planning Board 1,652 578 8
Public Works
Central Office 986 584
Bridge Division 482 72 977
Highway Division 686 1,353 61
Sanitary Division 14 8
Sewer Division 2,350 165 537
Survey Division 8,248 1,746 5,473 1 16
Water Division 150 88
Public Works (State) 320 83
Real Property 1,336 700
Building Division
Registry (Court House) 52
Rent Control Board 524
Retirement 1,922
School Buildings 28 4
School Committee
Traffic 150 625
Treasurer's 224
Collecting Division 506 17
^''eteran8' Services 10
Welfare 31
White Fund 702
Election Department 294
Public Buildings 160
Public Works (Highway Division). . . .
Encroachment 216 68
Lighting 174 272 22
Total 35,235 2,009 14,168 207
Public Works Department. 83
Assessments. — During the period reported on, esti-
mates of benefit for assessment purposes were prepared
amounting to $356,363.85. These estimates are in-
cluded in orders for street and sewer improvements.
Also final assessments were prepared amounting to
$212,599.98.
Respectfully submitted,
James W. Haley,
Chief Engineer, Surveij Division.
84
City Document No. 18.
APPENDIX G.
REPORT OF DIVISION ENGINEER OF THE
WATER DIVISION
Boston, January 2, 1957.
To the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit the following report of the
activities of the Water Division, operations and ex-
penditures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1956.
During the year a total of 23,510.3 linear feet, or
4.45 miles, of main pipe was laid or relaid, varying in
size from 4 inches to 16 inches and 877 applications
were received for installation of new service pipes,
enlarged service pipes and fire pipes, etc., into new or
remodeled buildings.
There were 27 petitions received for the extension
of water mains. The particular streets in which the
above work was performed are shown on the ac-
companying tables.
The Districts in which the main pipe was laid and
relaid are as follows:
District
City Proper
East Boston
South Boston
Dorchester
Hj'^de Park
West Roxbiuy
Brighton
Charlestown
Under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Ordinances
of 1952, which deals with capital improvements, the
Water Division submitted a capital improvement pro-
gram, which program was not followed to any great
Laid
inear Feet
Relaid
Linear Feet
924.0
366.0
1,889.5
11,105.4
3,337.4
1,238.0
1,651.0
1,944.5
1,054.5
Public Works Department. 85
extent due to the fact that all available funds were
needed to extend water mains to provide water into
residential areas.
Engineering Office
The office force maintained its usual service to the
public with information in relation to the Water Divi-
sion, estimates on new service pipes, making out con-
tracts, assisting the yard forces on Water Division
matters, compiling official data, bringing the record
plans to date, supervision of all construction and snow
removal in areas number 4 and 10.
The engineering office assisted in design and super-
vision of construction of water mains for the following
major construction projects ; their status being as follows :
Central Artery.
Fort Hill square to beyond Kneeland street — under
construction.
Kneeland street to Dover street — construction started.
William T. Morrissey Boulevard,
Tolnian street to Xeponset Circle — vuider construction.
Soldiers Field Road.
Boston University Bridge to beyond Harvard Stadium —
completed.
Southeast Expressway.
Boston street to beyond Columbia Circle design com-
pleted — construction to start in spring of 1957.
Columbia road to William T. Morrissey Boulevard —
construction started.
WiUiam T. Morrissey Boulevard to Neponset Circle to
Milton line near Adams street — now under contract
and construction started.
Projects under study or in progress are as follows :
Reinforcing Faulkner Hospital Area in West Roxbury —
construction started by M.D.C., 36 inches to new tank
(elevation 392) with 12-inch connection to be installed at
Weld street and West Roxbury Parkway.
Studies being made to reinforce southern section of West
Roxbury.
Studies being made to bring H.H.S. to Stony Brook
section of Hyde Park.
86 City Document No. 18.
Reinforcing Hyde Park beyond Cleary square (American
Legion Highway M.D.C. connection to Cleary square) —
completed to West street, final section to be completed in
spring of 1957.
Studies on New York streets area completed and buildings
demolished and contract for reconstruction awarded, work
to start in spring of 1957.
Hydrants.
There were 27 new hydrants established, 106 hydrants
changed and 10 hydrants abandoned.
Summation.
System relaid 0.88 miles, extended 3.57 miles, 27
hydrants estabhshed, and 10 hydrants abandoned, 0.10
miles of water pipe abandoned; thus increasing the
amount of water pipe in system by 3.47 miles and 17
hydrants.
District Yards.
The district yard forces were utilized in repairs of
main pipe leaks, installation of new service pipes, new
fire pipes, service pipe repairs, fire pipe repairs, meter
changes, off and on calls and general maintenance
service to the public.
The Distribution Branch.
The Distribution Branch, consisting of the main
yard and four district yards, and responsible for the
repair and maintenance of main pipes, hydrants, service
pipes, and gate valves, was assisted during the year
by four contracting firms who assisted the department
forces in the repairing of leaks and the laying of new
and relaying of old service pipes.
The contractual work was performed in a satisfactory
manner and again proved the value of this type of con-
tract in assisting the department forces to repair and
install new appurtenances.
During the year, the Gibson street, Dorchester, water
yard garage and stable were demolished and contract
awarded for new combination steel work shop and
garages to be erected in spring of 1957.
Public Works Department.
87
The Machine Shop
The machine shop and plumbing shop handled all
the drilling and connecting of services in addition to
the regular work carried on in these shops, such as the
machining and assembling of gates, valves, and hj^drants,
and the department assisted the other branches of the
Public Works Department in performing special jobs.
The Meter Branch
The meter shop handled a total of 10,117 meters, di-
vided as follows:
Meters applied on new services
Meters discontinued .
Meters changed .
Meters tested in shop
Meters repaired in service
Meters repaired in shop
Meters reset
Meters junked
656
139
5,261
1,789
369
779
718
406
Total 10,117
Business Office
This office performs all the work related to the proc-
essing of bills to property owners for water used and the
maintenance of water meters.
These operations include receiving applications for
new services and fire pipes; reading 95,000 meters
quarterly; computing and preparing 382,000 bills
amounting to $6,428,102,91; keeping account of paid
and unpaid bills; recording liens against delinquent
consumers; testing, repairing, and installing and remov-
ing water meters and receiving complaints from the
water consuming public.
1956
Main pipe petitions received 27
Domestic service applications 820
Fire pipe applications 51
Special meter tests 51
Hydrant permits issued 10
Repair deposits received 68
Miscellaneous deposits 33
88 City Document No. 18.
APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, AND REVENUE
Budget appropriation, 1956 $2,457,025 00
Amount expended 2,212,603 64
Unexpended balance $244,421 46
Amount of monej' collected from all sources during the \-ear
1956 $6,297,311 74
Amount expended from all sources 6,025,321 73
Surplus $271,990 01
The metropolitan assessment for 1956 amounted to
$3,290,795.44 at the rate of $80 per miUion gallons, an
increase of $68,407.92 over the assessment of 1955,
based on the $80 per million gallon rate.
Total amount billed for 1956 .... $6,428,10291
Total amount collected for 1956 bills, as of
December 31, 1956 $4,967,228 43
Total amount abated for 1956 bills, as of
December 31, 1956 $24,291 92
Total amount collected in 1956 on bills ren-
dered prior to 1956 $777,354 34
By Chapter 487, Acts of 1954, entitled ''An Act
Relative to Liens for Water Rates and Charges" effec-
tive January 1, 1955, the law was changed so that liens
for water rates take effect by operation of law without
the necessity of recording a lien statement at the
Registry of Deeds.
The issuance of statements of outstanding water bills
to the consumers at the end of the year has been con-
tinued as a courtesy to the customer.
Respectfully submitted,
D. M. Sullivan,
Division Engineer.
Public Works Department.
89
Balances from 1955
Water Service Receipt
Water Service .
Water Service 1956
Receipt
Water Rates and Services
Tax Titles, Water .
Expenditures
Pensions and Annuities .
Water Division
Refunds
Metropolitan Water Assessment
Collecting — Water .
Automotive — Water
Transfer of 1955 Surplus
$57,917 28
159,274 49
5,262,017 09
35,294 65
$211,362 28
2,212,603 54
628 50
3,290,795 44
132,195 00
91,200 00
Carried forward to 1957 Water Division
Surplus
$217,191 77
6,297,311 74
56,514,503 51
5,938,784 76
$575,718 75
57,917 28
$517,801 47
245,811 46
$271,990 01
1956
Summary of Water Division
Collections and Expenditures
Total Amount Collected
Expenditures
Pensions and Annuities . . . $211,362 28
Water Division (Budget)
Refunds ...
Collecting — Water .
Automo tive — Water
M.D.C. water assessment .
Less cash forwarded 1955 to 1956
Plus cash forwarded 1956 to 1957
j,297,311 74
2,212,603 54
628 50
132,195 00
91,200 00
$2,647,989 32
3,290,795 44
$5,938,784 76
159,274 49
$5,779,510 27
245,811 46
$6,025,321 73 6,025,321 73
Surplus
$271,990 01
Water Division, 1956
Construction Account
Extension of mains (from revenue)
Cost of construction Dec. 31, 1956
Cost of construction Dec. 31, 1955
Increase in plant cost during 1956
$25,357,313 14
25,132,375 54
$224,937 60
90 City Document No. 18.
Cost of existing works Dec. 31, 1956
Pipe yards and buildings . . $84,332 16
Distribution system . . . 25,357,313 14
Hyde Park water works . . 175,000 00
$25,616,645 30
High pressure 2,448,340 64
$28,064,985 94
Water Statistics for the Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 1956.
Mains.
Kind of pipe: cast iron, wrought iron, steel.
Size, 2-inch to 48-inch.
Extended miles, 3.57.
Size enlarged miles, 0.88.
Total miles now in use, 1,029.879.
Public hydrants added, 17.
Pubhc hydrants now in use, 12,554.
Stop gates added, 45.
Stop gates now in use, 16,558.
Number of blowoffs, 864.
Range of pressure on mains, 30 to 90 pounds.
Services.
Kind of pipe and size:
f inch to 2 inches in diameter of lead or copper.
4 inches and 6 inches in diameter of cast iron.
Shutting Off and Turning On Water in 1956
Number of shut-offs for repairs 5,252
Number of premises turned on after repairs 4,687
Number of shut-offs for vacancy 506
Number of premises turned on for occupancj^ .... 145
Number of premises shut off for nonpayment of water rates . 10
Number of premises turned on again after being shut off for non-
payment 5
Number of premises shut off on account of waste .... 32
Number of premises turned on again after being shut off for waste 2
Number of new service pipes turned on for the first time . . 484
Total number of times water was shut off or turned on . 11,123
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92 City Document No. 18.
TABLE NO. H.
Total Number of Hydrants in System, December 31, 1956.
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2,074
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Total hydrants abandoned during 1956
Total hydrants in service December 31, 1956
High pressure fire hydrants in service, 1956
Total h3'drants (all kinds) in service December 31, 1956
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Public Works Department.
97
Table No. I. Statement of Work Done During the Year 1956.
Make.
.2
"S
<
Ci
o
(5-73
_ o
Meters
Changed.
a
V
a
1
a)
Ci
3
Out.
In.
Hersey
622
35
1,021
145
6
25
1
2
4,211
1,246
75
140
3
5
5,466
277
5,580
1.420
303
97
1,590
295
755
26
80
220
70
136
4
4
19,628
3,761
151
301
Watch Dog
King
Worthington
■American
g
Federal
Sparling
Nash
1
4
2
1
2
1
1
9
Arctic
2
1
2
1
3
2
5
3
21
9
2
Trident
1
1
2
Lambert
4
Crown
1
o
Pitt
1
1
Totals
660
1,203
5,692
5,746
7,005
405
1,890
781
519
23,901
98
City Document No. 18.
Table No. 2. Meters in Service, December 31, 1956.
Diameter in Inches.
Total.
Make.
Vs
H
1
IH
2
3
4
6
8
10
70,700
8,512
519
1,269
49
5,146
298
7
6
2,434
442
4
2
1,372
729
9
6
974
413
3
5
335
234
409
67
126
38
20
81,54^
10,69/
542
1,29C
4C
14
54
11
6:
31
2
1
2
3
4
3
54
S
3
1
1
1
1
17
24
1
1
9
9
1
2
16
16
2
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
94,32
Total
81,118
5,460
2,887
2,136
1.416
615
498
133
39
20
Diameter in Inches.
Total.
Make.
%
'A
1
IH
2
3
4
6
8
No
Sise
C. P's
1,829
39
116
3
56
25
18
80
29
160
17
66
4
25
3
7
3
13
2,07
41
C. of B. C. P's . .
Total
1.868
119
81
98
189
83
29
10
3
13
2,49
Public Works Department. 99
Table No. 3. Meters in Shop, December 31, 1956.
DlA.METEK IN InCHES.
Totall
Make.
Vs
Va.
1
iVi
2
3
4
6
8
10
New.
621
50
35
29
10
5
15
8
760
Hersey H C T
2
15
621
50
35
29
15
23
2
775
Old.
408
20
23
12
23
4
7
4
1
2
1
5
2
502
3
1
1
9
Hersey H C T
3
Watch Dog
6
4
4
16
3
Total
408
20
23
18
27
10
15
7
4
1
533
Table No. 4. Meters Repaired in Shop in 1956.
Make.
Diameter in Inches.
Total.
%
V4,
1
IH
2
3
4
6
1.275
84
75
70
47
8
10
8
2
3
3
1,570
Hersey H. C. T
4
Watch Dog
150
16
42
63
20
304
1
1
3
Hersey F. M
3
2
1
3
Trident
3
3
Total
1,425
100
117
135
68
23
17
5
1,890
100 City Document No. 18.
Table No. 5. Meters Repaired and Rebuilt at Factory in 1956.
Make.
Diameter in Inches.
5
Total.
1,301
1,301
Total
1,301
1,301
Table No. 5A. Meters Purchased New in 1956.
Diameter in Inches.
Make.
5
1
1
u
2
3
4
6
Total.
2.363
50
35
30
2,478
Hersey H. C. T. .
10
15
2
27
Total
2,363
50
35
30
10
15
2
2,505
Table No. 6. Meters Reset in 1956.
Diameter in Inches.
V
'S
3
o
O
6 S
sg.s
o
Total.
Make.
_5
J
1
U
2
3
4
696
23
38
1
14
1
2
5
1
755
Watch Dog. .
26
Total
719
39
14
3
5
1
63
718
781
Public Works Department. 101
Table No. 7A. Meters Changed in 1956. Meters Taken Out.
Make.
Diameter in Inches.
Total.
V»
¥4.
1
IV2
2
3
4
6
8
Hersey Disc
3,662
1,031
72
3
140
5
251
29
135
59
1
73
88
2
57
24
18
9
11
6
3
1
4,211
Watch Dog
1,246
King
75
3
Worthington
140
5
Arctic
1
1
2
2
4
Trident
2
1
2
1
1
9
Nash
1
1
1
1
1
Total
4,917
280
195
164
82
32
18
3
1
5,692
Table No. 7B. Meters Changed in 1956. Meters Put In.
Make.
Diameter in Inches.
Total.
H
H
1
IH
2
3
4
6
10
4,904
132
245
11
128
34
86
69
1
76
21
10
7
13
3
1
3
1
5,466
Watch Dog
277
Trident
1
1
Total
5,036
256
162
156
97
18
17
3
1
5,746
102 City Document No. 18.
Table No. 8. Meters Repaired in Service in 1956.
»
o
.M
•go
d
^
c
1^
o3
o
a
'3
Make.
•^a
►-)
M
o
ca
H
aM
<a
a
c
a
u
O
3
O
B
03
o
tc
O
:2:
PQ
B
Pll
Eh
34
155
44
18
12
40
303
Watch Dog
20
47
16
1
1
12
97
2
1
2
5
Total
56
203
60
19
15
52
405
Table No. 9. Meters Applied in 1956.
Diameter in Inches.
Make.
f
'
1
U
2
3
4
10
Total
510
5
10
10
7
33
12
1
36
5
8
4
1
1
4
2
11
622
Watch Dog
35
2
1
Total
515
10
17
46
41
14
6
11
660
Meters applied on old services. .
Meters applied on new services.
Total .
660
668
Public Works Department. 103
Table No. 10. Meters Discontinued in 1956.
Make.
Diameter ts Inches.
fl o ©
* S 3
d
.2
"S <u
0.2
O
•
'S
CI
d
1
H
H
1
IJi
2
3
4
6
8
o
916
138
8
9
71
3
30
8
6
3
4
3
1
1
1
1
106
27
1
2
795
114
5
3
128
16
2
4
1,029
Watch Dog
157
King . ....
S
Worthington
9
1
1
1
1
1
2
Federal
1
1
Trident. ...
1
1
1
Nash
Total
1,072
74
38
10
7
4
2
139
918
150
1,207
104 City Document No. 18.
Table No. II. Reason for Meter Change in Year 1956.
jMake.
1
"Si
1
o
Q
a
p.
a
o
O
a
'a
0)
S
a
Q
"a
'3
(U
eg-
i
1
to
%
(3
a)
Jit
o
(S
J<i
o
_o
O
o
1
2
1
3,121
1,034
64
120
3
5
2
440
109
7
12
170
18
3
83
15
1
40
13
65
5
102
23
15 1 78
29
6
68
11
4,211
Watch Dog
12
3
4
1,246
75
1
140
3
Federal
5
2
1
1
4
Trident
<>
1
Nash
1
1
1
Total
4,356
568
191
99
54
70
127
15
97
35
SO
5,6 2
Table No. 12. Meters Junked in 1956.
Diameter in Inches
Make
«
J
1
U
2
3
Total.
70
219
70
136
4
4
1
1
1
3
6
80
Watch Dog
1
220
King
70
136
4
Federal
4
1
Nash
1
Trident
1
1
2
o
7
Total
507
1
3
1
519
Public Works Department. 105
APPENDIX H.
REPORT OF THE
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION
Boston, January 2, 1957.
Hon. John B. Hynes,
Mayo?' of Boston.
Through the Commissioner of Public Works.
Dear Mr. Mayor:
In accordance with the provisions of section 24,
chapter 3 of the Revised City Ordinances of 1947, the
following report of the Public Improvement Commission
for the year ending December 31, 1956, is respectfully
submitted.
The Public Improvement Commission was established
May 1, 1954, by the provisions of section 57, chapter 2
of the 1954 Ordinances. This Commission, consisting
of the Commissioner of Public Works, the Commissioner
of Real Property, and the Chairman of the Boston
Traffic Commission, was assigned all of the powers and
duties of the former Board of Street Commissioners,
except :
(a) Those relating to the storage and sale of inflammables,
filling stations, and parking lots which were transferred
to the Committee on Licenses in the Public Safety
Commission ;
(b) Those relating to the planting and removal of trees in
public ways, the use of public ways for any temporary
obstruction in, under, or over the same, the use of
public ways for the storage and sale of merchandise
and the designating of coasting streets, which were
transferred to the Commissioner of Public Works; and
(c) Those relating to the abatement of taxes which were
transferred to the Real Property Department.
Functions of the Board of Street Commissioners
transferred to this Commission include the authority
to lay out, widen, relocate, alter, discontinue, or rename
public highways, and to order the making of specific
106 City Document No. 18.
repairs therein; to order the construction of sanitary
sewers and storm drains; to take land by eminent
domain for municipal purposes (except housing and
off-street parking) ; to permit the opening of private
ways for public travel; to levy assessments for street,
sidewalk, and sewer betterments; and to issue permits
for the location of wire-carrying poles, conduits, pipes,
tracks and similar uses of the public ways.
STREET PROGRAM
During the period covered by this report, one hundred
seven (107) highway improvements, including the laying
out of fifty-eight (58) new highways, the widening and
relocation of thirty-one (31) public ways, the making
of specific repairs in eighteen (18) existing streets, were
ordered by the Public Improvement Commission.
Of particular interest in these groups are the following
projects:
Blue Hill avenue, Dorchester district, from Columbia road
to Mattapan square, to be reconstructed with Chapter 90
funds at an estimated cost of $450,000. Work will include
the removal of the existing streetcar reservation, the widening
of both roadways and the installation of traffic divisional
islands at various locations.
New York Streets area, Boston Proper district, in coopera-
tion with the Boston Housing Authority, the commission
ordered the discontinuance of eight (8) public ways in the
New York Streets area and also ordered the laying out of
Castle street through the project and the widening of the
remaining existing streets in the project, namely, Harrison
avenue. Asylum street and Troy street. It is estimated that
these highway improvements with sewer and water construc-
tion will cost approximately $475,000.
Charles Park road. West Roxbury district, this road has
been laid out and constructed to provided access to a new
industrial area of the same name adjacent to the Charles River
in the West Roxbury district and will also provide better
access to the city's West Roxbury disposal area. Estimated
cost of $27,768.
Summer street. South Boston district between B street
and the Reserved Channel, to be constructed with Chapter 90
funds at an estunated cost of $90,000.
Jackson Square improvements, Roxbury district, includes
the installation of traffic divisional islands and the reduction in
width of existing sidewalks at Jackson square and the widening
Public Works Department. 107
and relocation of Ritchie street. This reconstruction will
permit the relocation of traffic movement at this location by
makmg the three streets one way and forming a rotary pattern
which should greatly alleviate the congestion.
The following streets were ordered laid out as Public
Ways during 1956:
Agassiz park, West Roxbury, from Burroughs street approxi-
mately 230 feet southwesterly. Length 230 feet; estimated
cost, $4,810; estimated benefit, $2,328.94.
Ascent street, West Roxburj^, between New Haven street
and Keystone street. Length 285 feet; estimated cost,
$8,274; estimated benefit, $2,702.50.
Barna road, Dorchester, between Galty avenue and Range
road. Length 406 feet; estimated cost, $10,393; estimated
benefit, $5,426.27.
Beachview road. East Boston (formerly Montmorenci
avenue), from Drumlin road approximately 688 feet south-
easterly. Length 688 feet; estimated cost, $17,201; estimated
benefit, $8,468.38.
Brockton Street Extension, Dorchester, from Messinger
street approximately 206 feet northeasterly. Length 206 feet;
estimated cost, $5,268; estimated benefit, $2,619.18.
Burley street. West Roxbury, between Metropolitan avenue
and Dale street. Length 466 feet; estimated cost, $13,492;
estimated benefit, $4,890.
Byrd avenue. West Roxbury, between Neponset avenue and
Starbird avenue. Length 519 feet; estimated cost, $14,084;
estimated benefit, $6,985.
Caltha road, Brighton, extended, widened and relocated
from Undine road approximately 300 feet southerly. Length
300 feet; estimated cost, $7,225; estimated benefit, $2,269.24.
Capital street. West Roxbury, from Baker street approxi-
mately 332 feet southwesterly. Length 332 feet; estimated
cost $9,434; estimated benefit, $4,451.
Castle street, Boston Proper, between Washington street
and Albany street. Length 763 feet. (To be built by Boston
Housing Authority.)
Chapel road, Hyde Park (formerly Irwin avenue), between
Tacoma street and Farrar avenue. Length 240 feet; estimated
cost, $5,910; estimated benefit, $2,274.60.
Charles Park road, West Roxbury, between Veterans of
Foreign Wars Parkway and Rivermoor street. Length 1,200
feet; estimated cost, $27,768; estimated benefit, $17,000.
Cheshire Street Extension, West Roxbury, approximately
215 feet northeasterly. Length, 215 feet; estimated cost,
$4,371; estimated benefit, $2,140.44.
Claflin street. South Boston, from D street approximately
350 feet northwesterly. Length 350 feet. (Without con-
struction.)
lOS City Document No. 18.
Crestwood park, Roxbury, from Townsend street approxi-
mately 250 feet northeasterly. Length 250 feet; estimated
cost, $6,847; estimated benefit, $2,417.70.
Crockers Lane, West Roxbury, between Shaw street and
Saint Theresa avenue. Length 435 feet; estimated cost,
$11,175; estimated benefit, $6,259.09.
Cutler court, South Boston (formerly Pickering place), from
East Fifth street approximately 125 feet southerly. Length
125 feet; estimated cost, $2,539; estimated benefit, $1,368.90.
Dalin place, Roxbury (formerly LaFayette park) from
Julian street approximately 190 feet northerly. Length 190
feet; estimated cost, $3,832; estimated benefit, $1,816.05.
Daytona terrace, Dorchester (formerly Maple park) from
Centre street approximately 230 feet northerly. Length 230
feet; estimated cost, $6,456; estimated benefit, $3,850.50.
Derry road, Hyde Park, between Westminster street and
Safford street. Length 481 feet; estimated cost, $13,385;
estimated benefit, $6,843.50.
DeStefano road, West Roxbury, from Hyde Park avenue
approximately 480 feet southeasterly. Length 480 feet;
estimated cost, $11,607; estimated benefit, $5,458.60.
Dietz road, Hyde Park, between Alvin street and Leighton
road. Length 1,340 feet; estimated cost, $39,749; estimated
benefit, $12,782.50.
Dodge road, Hyde Park, between Dietz road and Leighton
road. Length 284 feet; estimated cost, $9,047; estimated
benefit, $2,769.
Driftwood road. West Roxbury, between Mossdale road and
Mossdale road. Length 460 feet; estimated cost, $9,172;
estimated benefit, $6,140.80.
Dudley terrace, Dorchester (formerly Holden place), from
Dudley street approximately 133 feet northeasterly. Length
133 feet; estimated cost, $1,051; estimated benefit, $870.
Eastmont road, Hyde Park, between Dietz road and Leigh-
ton road. Length 408 feet; estimated cost, $12,417; estimated
benefit, $4,245.
Farwell avenue, Hyde Park, from Summit street approxi-
matelv 450 feet southeasterly. Length 450 feet; estimated
cost, $11,980, estimated benefit, $4,833.81.
Favre street, Dorchester, from Messinger street approxi-
mately 277 feet northeasterly. Length 277 feet; estimated
cost, $6,581; estimated benefit, $3,187.
Greenwich court, Roxbury, from Greenwich street approxi-
matelv 100 feet southwesterly. Length 100 feet, estimated
cost, $2,213; estimated benefit, $1,207.30.
Harmony street. East Boston, between Bennington street
and Horace street. Length 260 feet; estimated cost, $6,993;
estimated benefit, $1,912.50.
Public Works Department. 109
Howard place, Dorchester, from Howard avenue approxi-
mately 205 feet northwesterly. Length 205 feet ; estimated cost ,
$3,947; estimated benefit, $1,869.
Huntington avenue, Hyde Park, between Collins street and
Thatcher street. Length 1,486 feet; estimated cost, $33,624;
estimated benefit, $11,427.50.
Hutchinson street, Dorchester, between Gallivan Boulevard
and Brookvale street. Length 374 feet; estimated cost, $9,913;
estimated benefit, $5,078.43.
Joslin road, Roxbury (formerly Austin street), between
Brookline avenue and Pilgrim road. Length 288 feet; esti-
mated cost, $9,969; estimated benefit, $2,031.80.
Kardon road, Hyde Park, from Dietz road approximately
300 feet southeasterly. Length 300 feet; estimated cost, $8,662;
estimated benefit, $4,507.
Leighton road, Hyde Park, between Alwin street and East-
mont road. Length 1,100 feet; estimated cost, $31,699; esti-
mated benefit, $13,006.50.
Lorimer place, Roxbury (formerly Johnston park), from
Warren street approximately 175 feet westerly. Length 175
feet; estimated cost, $4,400; estimated benefit, $2,092.17.
Lovis street. South Boston, between West Fifth street and
Gold street. Length 128 feet; estimated cost, $2,500; esti-
mated benefit, $1,021.50.
Margo road, Brighton, betw^een Brayton road and the
Newton boundary line. Length 888 feet; estimated cost,
$23,114; estimated benefit, $14,731.
Marlin road. West Roxbury (formerly Federal road), from
Corey street approximately 340 feet southwesterly. Length
340 feet; estimated cost, $10,078; estimated benefit, $4,253.50.
Meadowview road, Hyde Park (formerly Forest street), from
Stanbro street, approximately 880 feet southwesterly. Length
880 feet; estimated cost, $22,786; estimated benefit, $11,368.30.
Messinger street, Dorchester, between Brockton street and
Orlando street. Length 718 feet; estimated cost, $16,400;
estimated benefit, $8,986.
Millstone Road Extension, Hyde Park (formerly Hawthorne
street), between Colchester street and Meadowview road.
Length 237 feet; estimated cost, $6,607; estimated benefit,
$2,203.50.
Mossdale road, West Roxbury, between Moss Hill road and
Moss Hill road. Length 1,520 feet; estimated cost, $26,067;
estimated benefit, $22,299.06.
New Haven street. West Roxbury, from Northdale road to
approximately 180 feet beyond Ascent street. Length 900
feet; estimated cost, $24,245; estimated benefit, $13,642.
Range road, Dorchester, between Dorchester avenue and
Mercier avenue. Length 660 feet; estimated cost, $15,317;
estimated benefit, $6,914.30.
110 City Document No. 18.
Rainier road, Dorchester and Hyde Park (formerly Royal
road), between Greenfield road and Raleigh road. Length 329
feet, estimated cost, $9,763; estimated benefit, $2,991.
Robken road. West Roxbury (formerly Haviland road), be-
tween Hazelmere road and Selwyn street. Length 601 feet;
estimated cost, $15,266; estimated benefit, $8,386.65.
Rocky Nook terrace. West Roxbury, from Glen road ap-
proximately 260 feet northeasterly. Length 260 feet, estimated
cost, $6,039; estimated benefit, $3,243.01.
Rosecliff terrace, West Roxbury (formerly Wyman street),
from Rosecliff street approximately 235 feet southwesterly.
Length 235 feet; estimated cost, $5,346; estimated benefit,
$3,107.02.
SafTord street, Hyde Park, between Lewiston street and
Huntington avenue. Length 1,056 feet; estimated cost, $38,347;
estimated benefit, $13,838.22.
Selwyn Street Extension, West Roxbury, between Coniston
road and Haviland road. Length 200 feet; estimated cost,
$5,017; estimated benefit, $2,309.93.
Sherbrook street, West Roxbury, between Temple street and
Perham street. Length 250 feet; estimated cost, $7,785;
estimated benefit, $3,076.47.
Spinney street. West Roxbury, between Sparrow street and
Cowing street. Length 332 feet; estimated cost, $8,641; esti-
mated benefit, $3,642.73.
Troy street, Boston Proper, between Harrison avenue and
Washington street. (To be built by Boston Housing Au-
thority.) Length 300 feet.
Vienna street, East Boston, between Neptune road and
Bennington street. Length 300 feet. (Without construction.)
Welton road. West Roxbury, from La Grange street ap-
proximately 258 feet westerly. Length 258 feet; estimated
cost, $7,390; estimated benefit, $3,280.79.
West Howell street, Dorchester, from Boston street approxi-
mately 351 feet westerly. Length 351 feet; estimated cost,
$31,545; estimated benefit, $5,949.20.
Widened or Relocated
Asylum street, Boston Proper, between Harrison avenue and
Washington street.
Austin street, Hyde Park, at the northeasterly and south-
easterly corners of Gordon avenue.
Bunker Hill street, Charlestown, between Hunter street and
Chelsea street.
Centre street. West Roxbury, at various locations between
Spring street and Grove street.
Chestnut Hill avenue, Brighton, at the northwesterly corner
of Commonwealth avenue.
Como road, Hyde Park, on the southeasterly side from Pine
avenue approximately 180 feet northwesterly.
Public Works Department. Ill
Cowper street, East Boston, between Byron street and Words-
worth street.
Cookson terrace, Dorchester, on the northerly side for a
distance of about 100 feet.
D street, South Boston, at the southerlj^ corner of Summer
street.
Fairway street, Dorchester, between Blue Hill avenue and
Cummins Highway.
Forsyth street, Roxbury, from Ruggles street approximately
850 feet northerly.
Gardner street, West Roxbury, from Rivermoor street to
the location of the Needham Branch of the New York, New
Haven & Hartford Railroad.
Guest street, Brighton, at the northeasterly and southerly
corners of Market street.
Harrison avenue, Boston Proper, between Dover street and
the Boston & Albany Railroad.
Hunter street, Charlestown, between Bunker Hill street and
Vine street.
Leon street, Roxbury, at the southeasterly corner of Green-
leaf street.
Montebello road. West Roxbury, at the northwesterly and
southwesterly corners of Washington street.
Monument street, Charlestown, at the southwesterly corner
of O'Reilly Way and from the southeasterly corner of O'Reilly
Way approximately 100 feet northeasterly.
Morton street, Dorchester, at the southwesterly corner of
Blue Hill avenue (see abandonment order).
Perkins street. West Roxbury, from Francis Parkman
Drive to Prince street.
Poplar street. West Roxbury, on the easterly side from a
point approximately 300 feet north of Deforest street to
approximately 200 feet northerly.
Ritchie street, Roxbury, at the northeasterly and southeast-
erly corners of Columbus avenue.
Ritchie street, Roxbury, from Columbus avenue to Centre
street.
River street, Dorchester, from Mattapan square to a
point approximately 500 feet northeasterly.
Rivermoor street, West Roxbury, from Gardner street
approximately 725 feet southwesterly.
Ruggles street, Roxbury, between Columbus avenue and
Leon street.
Selkirk road, Brighton, between Chiswick road and Suther-
land road.
Vine street, Charlestown, at the southwesterly corner of
Chelsea street.
Washington street, Boston Proper, between Dover street
and Motte street.
112 City Document No. 18.
Washington street, Roxbury, at the southwesterly corner of
Arnold street.
Williams street, West Roxbury, at the southwesterly corner
of Washington street.
Specific Repairs
Ash street, Boston Proper, between Oak street and Bennett
street, consisting of the reduction in width of the northwesterly
sidewalk.
Blue Hill avenue, Dorchester and West Roxbury, between
Columbia road and River street, consisting of the abandonment
of the existing street car reservation, construction of traffic
divisional islands and the reduction in the width of existing
sidewalks at various locations.
Boylston street, Boston Proper, at Charles street, consisting
of the installation of a traffic island.
Centre street, Roxbury, from Amory street to a point
approximately 100 feet northeasterly of Columbus avenue,
consisting of the removal of existing traffic islands, reduction
of sidewalk widths at various locations and the installation of
new traffic divisional islands.
Columbus avenue, Roxbury, between Centre street and
Ritchie street, consisting of the removal of the existing traffic
divisional island.
Francis street, Roxbury, on the westerly side between
Brookline avenue and the Riverway, consisting of the reduction
in width of the existing sidewalk.
Franklin street, Boston Proper, at the southeasterly corner
of Hawley street, consisting of increasing the curb corner radii.
Greenfield road, Dorchester, at the intersection of Cummins
Highway, consisting of the construction of a traffic island.
North Grove street, Boston Proper, at the southwesterly
corner of Fruit street, consisting of the reduction in width of
the existing sidewalk.
Old Morton street, Dorchester, at the northwesterly corner
of River street, consisting of increasing the curb corner radii.
Summer street, South Boston, between "B" street (under)
and the Reserved Channel, consisting of the installation of a
traffic divisional island and the increasing of the curb corner
radii at various locations.
Troy street, Boston Proper, between Albany street and
Harrison avenue, consisting of the reduction in width of
existing sidewalks.
Washington street, Boston Proper, at the northeasterly
corner of Hayward place, consisting of increasing the existing
curb radius.
Washington street, Roxburj^ at Eustis street, consisting of
the reduction in width of the existing sidewalk and the installa-
tion of a traffic island.
Public Works Department. 113
Washington street, Roxbury, at Warren street, consisting
of the reduction in width of the existing sidewalk and the
installation of a traffic island.
Washington street, Roxbury, between Northampton street
and Warren street, consisting of the reduction in width of
existing sidewalks and the installation of traffic divisional
islands.
Washington street, West Roxbury, between Montebello
road and Forest Hills street, consisting of the installation of a
traffic divisional island.
Woodhaven street, Dorchester, at the northwesterly corner
of Cummins Highwa}^, consisting of the reduction of the curb
radius.
Grades Revised
Brook Farm road, West Roxbury, between Newfield street
and Banks street.
Brucewood street, West Roxburj^, from Rickerhill road
approximately 140 feet northwesterly.
Maryknoll street, Dorchester, between Clearwater Drive
and Maryknoll terrace.
West Howell street, Dorchester, from Boston street ap-
proximately 335 feet northwesterly.
Discontinuances
Beacon street, Boston Proper, a portion of the building line
on the northeasterly side from Charlesgate East approxi-
mately 108 feet easterly. (Not recorded by order of Public
Improvement Commission. )
Chelsea street, Charlestown, from a point approximately
500 feet northeasterly of Medford street to approximately
700 feet northeasterly.
Crehore road. West Roxbury, at the southerly corner of
West Roxbury Parkway.
Davis street, Boston Proper, between Washington street
and Harrison avenue.
Decatur street, Boston Proper, between Washington street
and Harrison avenue.
Fairway street, Dorchester, on the northerly line, westerly
from Blue Hill avenue.
Fellows street, Roxbury, between Northampton street and
Hunneman street. (Slope easement.)
Florence street, Boston Proper, between Washington street
and Harrison avenue.
Genesee street, Boston Proper, a portion from Harrison
avenue approximately 412 feet southeasterlJ^
High street, Boston Proper, from a point opposite Belcher
Lane approximately 225 feet southwesterly.
114 City Document No. 18.
Hillis road, Hyde Park, on the northerly side approximately
100 feet from River street.
Mount Vernon street, Dorchester, on the southwesterly
side at a point approximately 900 feet southwest of William T.
Morrissey Boulevard.
Oneida street, Boston Proper, a portion from Harrison Avenue
to approximately 43 1 feet southeasterly.
Oswego street, Boston Proper, a portion from Harrison
avenue approximately 432 feet southeasterly.
Providence street, Boston Proper, from a point approxi-
mately 175 feet southwesterly from Berkeley street 30 feet
southwesterly.
Public Alley No. 104, Boston Proper, from Commercial
street to North street.
Ramsdell avenue, West Roxbury, at the southeasterly corner
of Hyde Park avenue.
Rivermoor street. West Roxbury, from Gardner street to
Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkwaj'.
Rochester street, Boston Proper, between Harrison avenue
and Albany street.
Seneca street, Boston Proper, between Harrison avenue and
Albany street.
Vienna street. East Boston, at the northeasterly corner of
Neptune road.
West Selden street, Dorchester, at the westerly and easterly
corners of Merola park.
Wexford street, Brighton, from Leo M. Birmingham Park-
way approximately 950 feet westerly.
Slope Easement
Hyde Park avenue, Hyde Park, westerly side approxi-
mately 200 feet northerly from Metropolitan avenue and
easterly side approximately 350 feet northerl}- from Metro-
politan avenue.
Abandonments
Bussey and Walter streets. West Roxbury, order of the
Public Improvement Commission and Mayor dated December
28, 1955, which provided for the installation of one traffic
island.
Centre street. West Roxbury, order of the Public Improve-
ment Commission and Mayor dated September 24, 1954,
which provided for the widening, relocation and construction
of Centre street from Spring street to Grove street.
Farwell avenue, Hyde Park, order of the Board of Street
Commissioners and Mayor dated April 30, 1954, which pro-
vided for the lajdng out and construction of Farwell avenue,
from Summit street to Milton avenue. (See new layout
order).
Public Works Department. 115
Hanson street, Boston Proper, order of the Public Improve-
ment Commission and Mayor dated September 12, 1956,
which provided for the taking of land for Park Department
purposes.
Morton street, Dorchester, order of the Public Improvement
Commission and Mayor dated June 28, 1956, which provided
for a widening at the southwesterly corner of Blue Hill avenue.
Water Main Easements
Private land, Brighton, between R3^an road and Sanderson
place.
Sanderson place, Brighton, between Sanderson place and
Rj^an road.
Sewer Program
During the year 1956, the construction of 2.00 miles of
sanitary sewer, 1.79 miles of storm sewer, 214 catch
basins and 56 drop inlets were ordered at a total esti-
mated cost of $731,190.
Estimated benefit to private property for the con-
struction of the 2.00 miles of sanitary sewers amounted
to $48,627.81.
Sewerage works ordered were as follows:
116
City Document No. 18.
Street
O o
ecS
l^
2!^
OS
^A
^j
Boston Proper
Asylum street
Franklin street
Harrison avenue
Harrison avenue
Public Alley 801
Troy and Albany ttreet*.
Troy street (extension) . .
Washington street
Brighton
Anselm terrace
Caltha road
Chestnut Hill avenue . . .
Greycliff road
Guest street
*Keenan road
Lake street
*Lake street
Marge road
*Ryan road
Selkirk road
Charlestown
Bunker Hill street
Dorchester
Barna road
Blue Hill avenue
Brockton street (exten-
sion)
*Caryll street ....
Daytona terrace.
Dudley terrace . .
Howard place . . .
Lorna road
*Merola park. . . .
Messinger street.
*Messinger street .
330
390
740
400
312
70
235
267
270
250
235
174
282
630
308
395
27
$5,000 00
400 00
7,500 00
1,000 00
600 00
07,500 00
62,000 00
7,500 00
1,500 00
2,050 00
1,000 00
500 00
400 00
2,400 00
200 00
4,100 00
1,600 00
2,600 00
1,500 00
350 00
500 00
30,000 GO
1,000 00
15,000 00
1,200 00
600 00
1,200 00
2,000 00
6,800 00
1,000 00
6,500 00
* Easements taken.
Public Works Department.
117
Street
Is
0)
02
a a
a e
s
s
m
o
"a
0.
o
Q
d
O
1)
5
c
H
Is
■■5CQ
Dorchester (Continued)
2
$1,000 00
2,800 00
1,200 00
1,200 00
3,600 00
3,600 00
5,500 00
4,000 00
1,000 00
2,000 00
19,240 00
600 00
3,000 00
1,200 00
2,500 00
2,100 00
1,400 00
2,100 00
900 00
700 00
1,230 00
5.770 00
2,300 00
1,000 00
4,800 00
1,200 00
1,400 00
4,600 00
6,100 00
2,100 00
140
145
$600 00
2
2
Richmere road
None
260
275
365
200
145
254
None
*Violet street
$2,100 00
2,190 00
Wm. T. Morrissey Boule-
2,000 00
East Boston
2
None
130
1,175
130
800
$650 00
Hyde Park
*Arborfield road
6,630 00
Belnel road
1
None
225
SI, 350 00
2
3
None
65
153
Davidson street
145
$870 00
2
3
None
55
57
Kardon road
1
None
*Manion road
123
548
None
4
2
2
2
2
New Bedford street
375
None
Rainier road
None
♦Ransom road
85
310
440
93
$360 00
(Raleigh road)
1,860 00
*Ruff ng street
440
2,639 91
Senders court
3
None
118
City Document No. 18.
Street
■3^
.as
OJ SI
03
Hyde Park — Continued
Susanna court
Wharton court
Roxbury
Centre street
Columbus avenue. . . .
Crestwood park
Forsyth street
Francis street
Greenwich court
Ken way terrace
Lorimer place
Ritchie street
Ritchie street
Ruggles street
South Boston
Summer street
West Roxbury
Baker street
Brook Farm road
Brow^son terrace
Burley street
at Metropolitan avenue.
Byrd avenue
Canterbury street.
■fCanterbury Branch
(of Stony Brook) .
Canterbury street
(at Mt. Hope street) .
Centre street
Cheshire Street extension
♦Courtney road
Crockers Lane
DeStefano road
Emelia terrace
♦Emelia terrace
733
632
320
582
300
100
245
$1,400 00
700 00
400 00
500 00
1,600 00
2,800 00
400 00
500 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
500 00
1,200 00
1,000 00
28,000 00
2,600 00
9,800 00
2,100 00
2,000 00
4,500 00
800 00
212,000 00
600 00
500 00
800 00
2,000 00
2,000 00
800 00
1,000 00
3,800 00
Public Works Department.
119
Street
4) U
'■S-fi
•Si s_
bo
•sd
in
OS
9
m
1
—
"a
a
o
Q
o
O
5
S
■■sm
West Roxbury — Continued
Forest Hills street
375
100
280
380
120
280
5
2
$11,200 00
1,200 00
6,500 00
1,300 00
950 00
500 00
500 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
23,600 00
7,200 00
7,500 00
150 00
3,200 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
1,050 00
4,400 00
3,000 00
None
$720 00
2,150 00
*Hackensack square
Hampstead Lane
2
2
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
58
100
175
♦Partridge street
165
740
$990 00
4,440 00
150
740
2
6
1
Rosecliff terrace
188
1
2
1
Weld street
85
220
253
85
260
250
$510 00
*Wilmot street
2
1 320 00
♦Winchester terrace
1.518 00
* Easements taken
t 1,320 linear feet of 9 feet diameter reinforced concrete conduit
120 City Document No. 18.
Eminent Domain Land Takings
During the period of this report, land takings were
made for municipal purposes as follows :
Fire Department
1. The taking of approximately fifty-four thousand
six hundred seventeen (54,617) square feet of land on
Neponset avenue, Dorchester district, under an order
of this Commission and Mayor dated April 13, 1956,
and recorded in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds on
April 20, 1956.
2. The taking of approximately twenty-one thou-
sand one hundred fifty-seven (21,157) square feet of
land on Gallivan Boulevard, Dorchester district, under
an order of this Commission and Mayor dated May 2,
1956, and recorded in the Suffolk Registry- of Deeds on
May 15, 1956.
3. The taking of approximately twenty thousand
seven hundred sixteen (20,716) square feet of land on
Cummins Highway, West Roxbury district, under order
of this Commission and Mayor dated December 5, 1956,
and recorded in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds on Decem-
ber 31, 1956.
Parks and Recreation Department
1. The taking of approximately three thousand one
hundred thirty (3,130) square feet of land on Hanson
street, Boston Proper district, under an order of this
Commission and Mayor dated September 12, 1956, and
recorded in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds on Septem-
ber 26, 1956. The Public Improvement Commission
abandoned this order on December 12, 1956, such
abandonment order being recorded in the Suffolk Regis-
try of Deeds on December 28, 1956.
Overseers of Public Welfare
1. The taking of approximately seventy-nine (79)
square feet of land on Hawkins street, Boston Proper
Public Works Department. 121
district, under an order of this Commission and Mayor
dated September 12, 1956, and recorded in the Suffolk
Registry of Deeds on October 11, 1956.
Department of School Buildings
1. The taking of approximately thirteen thousand,
six hundred fifty-five (13,655) square feet of land on
Silver street. South Boston district, under an order of
this Commission and Mayor dated October 17, 1956,
and recorded in the Suffolk Registry of Deeds on
October 19, 1956.
Assessments
During the year 1956, the Highway Division of the
Public Works Department sent notice of completion of
twenty-eight (28) streets at a total cost of $490,273.20.
On this work the Public Improvement Commission
voted upon assessments in the amount of $132,522.94.
During the same period, the Sewer Division of the
Public Works Department reported the completion of
construction of sanitary sewerage in thirt}^ (30) streets
at a cost of $107,371.96, on which this Commission
levied assessments in the amount of $61,238.64.
The completion of new sidewalks in four (4) streets
at a cost of $37,994.62, authorized by the City Council,
was also reported by the Highway Division. On these,
this Commission levied assessments totaling $18,838.40.
122
City Document No. 18.
Street Assessments
Street
District
Cost
Assessment
Alvarado avenue
Alwin street
Arvale road
Auriga street
Austin street
Banton street
Bantry Way
Brucewood street
Cheryl Lane
Chesterfield street
Colebrook street
Danny road
Dorchester avenue
Emmonsdale road
Hillis road
Manila avenue
Mt. Vernon street
Newland street
Pomona avenue
Reynold road
Service place
Sparrow street
Stonehill road
Stonehill terrace
Theodore A. Glynn Way .
Vallaro road
Westmount avenue
Westville terrace
Hyde Park
Hyde Park
Dorchester
Dorchester
Hyde Park
Dorchester
South Boston
West Roxbury
Hyde Park
Hyde Park
South Boston
Hyde Park
Dorchester
West Roxbury
Hyde Park
Hyde Park
Dorchester
Boston Proper
West Roxbury
Hyde Park
Roxbury
West Roxbury
Hyde Park
Hyde Park
Roxbury
Hyde Park
West Roxbury
Dorchester
$8,448 07
30,324 03
5,444 53
0,480 81
34,313 53
8,992 44
5,905 04
17,795 23
11,658 31
13,759 34
6,051 33
19,986 11
12.631 39
23,170 88
25,474 21
8,711 68
139,023 46
1,170 29
5,337 08
8,265 35
2,098 36
20.632 92
18,728 95
1,196 26
42,613 97
5,744 59
373 10
5,941 44
$3,866 00
9,585 69
2,077 08
3,006 71
400 00
4.536 01
2,944 05
6,091 66
3,561 49
5,404 31
2,753 11
8,565 31
5,576 35
4,996 13
9,470 83
4,570 99
19,874 55
908 40
1.537 60
3,516 19
500 00
6,617 75
8,613 03
547 08
7,658 40
1,921 65
236 68
3,185 89
Totals.
$490,273 20
$132,522 94
Public Works Department.
Sewer Assessments
123
Street
District
Cost
Assessment
Anselm terrace.
Belnap road, Joan road, Dodge road,
Leighton road, Perry court, Dietz
road and Eastmont road
Constitution road, Grossman street,
Jamestown terrace. Viking terrace.
Corman road
David road
Emelia terrace
Guest street
Hazelmere road
Island street
Itasca street
Lorna and Lena terraces
Messinger street. ,
Orlando street
Pelton street
Rocky Nook terrace
Sunset lane
Violet street
Washington street
Wedgemere road
William T. Morrissey Boulevard.
Woodland road
Brighton
Hyde Park
Dorchester
Dorchester
West Roxbury
West Roxbury
Brighton
West Roxbury
Roxbury
Dorchester
Dorchester
Dorchester
Dorchester
West Roxbury
West Roxbury
Dorchester
Dorchester
West Roxbury
West Roxbury
Dorchester
Hyde Park
55,012 82
20,575 95
9,648 00
2,028 80
6,925 00
3,341 88
15,600 00
2,325 00
1,250 00
2,436 71
10,206 60
3 ,,595 00
1,108 50
650 00
3,777 00
2,569 43
4,200 00
2,439 00
810 00
1,600 00
7 272 27
$2,459 97
17.639 67
3,456 00
1,380 00
4,020 00
1,920 00
10,500 00
990 00
750 00
1,395 00
6,180 00
1,500 00
600 00
360 00
1,440 00
1,428 00
1,650 00
900 00
480 00
870 00
1,320 00
Totals.
S107,371 96
$61,238 64
Sidewalk Assessments
Street
District
Cost
Assessment
Chiswick terrace.
Embassy road . . .
Poplar street ....
West street
Totals .
Brighton
Brighton
West Roxbury
Hyde Park
$2,960 00
7,762 80
24,571 82
2,700 00
$37,994 62
$1,126 61
3,960 93
12,414 55
1,336 31
$18,838 40
124 City Document No. 18.
Street Name Changes
The names of the following public streets were
changed effective March 1, 1956:
Church Street, Boston Proper district, between
Boylston Street and Providence Street; new name
Hadassah Way.
Congress Street, South Boston district, from north-
easterly line of B Street approximately 50 feet; new
name, B Street.
Macallen Street, South Boston district, between
Dorchester Avenue and Foundry Street; new name,
Greenbaum Street.
Marion Court, East Boston district, from 43 Marion
Street approximately 165 feet southwesterly; new name,
Marion Place.
Ralston Street, South Boston district, between Dor-
chester Avenue and Boston Street; new name. Father
Anthony Songin Way.
Land Damages
On new construction, 118 claims were filed for damage
to property resulting from land takings or changes in
grade. On these claims, this Commission awarded
damages in the amount of $33,036.96.
On new sewer construction, one claim was filed for
damage to property resulting from construction or
changes in grade. On this claim, the Commission
awarded damages in the amount of $4,200.
Miscellaneous Permits
During the period of this report, 362 petitions from
public utilities were approved for the placing and
maintaining of poles for the support of wires.
Also, 33 petitions were approved for miscellaneous
installations or uses of the public highways of the City
of Boston as follows :
Public Works Department.
125
Street
Petitioner
Nature of Petition
Bennington street, East
Boston
Binney street, Roxbury
Boylston Street, Boston
Proper
Braintree street, Brighton
Brookline avenue, Roxbury
C street. South Boston
Chelsea street, East Boston
Davison street, Hyde Park
Davison street, Hyde Park
Dedham street, Hyde Park
Falmouth street, Boston
Proper
Garth road. West Roxbury
Harrison avenue, Boston
Proper
Hawley street, Boston
Proper
High Street Place, Boston
Proper
Hyde Park avenue, Hyde
Park
Kneeland street and Hudson
street, Boston Proper
Kneeland street, Boston
Proper
ManUa avenue, Hyde Park
National street. South
Boston
North Harvard street,
Brighton
Old road, Dorchester
Park street, Boston Proper
Boston Gas Company
New England Deaconess Hos-
pital
Brook Realty, Inc.
Boston Gas Company
New England Deaconess Hos-
pital
Boston Banana Company, Inc.
Boston Gas Company
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Worcester Gas Liglit Com-
pany
Boston Edison Company
Boston Gas Company
City of Boston
(Real Property Department)
Boston Edison Company
United Shoe Machine Com-
pany
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Boston Edison Company
Boston Edison Company
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Boston Gas Company
Harvard L^niversity
Boston Gas Company
Boston Edison Company
Underground gas main
Underground steam pipe
Bay window encroach-
ment
Underground gas main
Underground steam pipe
Underground concrete
caissons
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Underground conduit and
manholes
Underground gas main
Parking sidewalk en-
croachment
Underground conduit and
manhole
Underground vault
Underground gas main
Underground conduit and
manholes
Underground conduit and
manhole
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Concrete conduits
Underground gas main
Underground conduit and
manhole
126
City Document No. 18.
Street
Petitioner
Nature of Petition
Park street, Boston Proper
Parklawn road. West
Roxbury
Pilgrim road, Roxbury
Ricker Hill road, West
Roxbury
Ruskindale road, Hyde Park
St. Theresa avenue, West
Roxbury
South street, Boston Proper
Stuart street, Boston Proper
Vining street, Roxbury
Walter street, Hyde Park
Society of St. Paul the
Apostle
Boston Gas Company
New England Deaconess Hos-
pital
Boston Gas Company
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Boston Gas Company
Boston Edison Company
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Company
Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts, Division of Build-
ding Construction
Worcester Gas Light Com-
pany
Access shaft
Underground gas main
L'nderground steam pipe
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Underground gas main
Underground conduit and
manhole
Underground oil tank
Steel steam lines, steel
conduits (2), tile pipe
(2), water main (all
underground)
Underground gas main
Private Ways
During the year 1956, permission was given to prepare
for public travel, the following private ways.
Anselm Terrace, Brighton
Arborfield Road, West Roxbury and Hyde Park
Caryll Street, Dorchester
Dow Road, West Roxbury
Emelia Terrace, West Roxbury
Garth Road Extension, West Roxbury
Keenan Road, Brighton
Manion Road, Hyde Park
Maria Lane, West Roxbury
Merola Park, Dorchester
Messinger Street, Dorchester
Orlando Street, Dorchester
Ryan Road, Brighton
Wilmot Street, West Roxbury
Violet Street, Dorchester
Respectfully submitted,
George G. Hyland, Chairman.
Herman Carp, Vice-Chair man.
Wm. Arthur Reilly, Member.
City of Boston
Administrative Services Department
Printing ^.^^^at. Section
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